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> That shows a very inefficient use of USA's wealth and a very poor healthcare policy.

The greatest factor in longevity is genetics, not wealth expenditure. Ever consider that the average genetic makeup of someone in Japan may be quite different from the average in the US?

Now, compare those of Japanese ancestry living in the US with those in Japan and I might be interested in your theories.



The greatest factor for longevity in an individual is genetics. For a population not so much.

Lots of people say if you remove the US, the greatest correlation (not causation and all that, yes yes) to longevity is health care spending. Picking the first result off google, here: http://andrewgelman.com/2009/12/healthcare_spen/

Japan is a clear outlier but so is the US.


Wow ! very interesting graph!


Cultural habits are probably the dominant factor. The extension of longevity these last years is mainly due to people stopping smoking.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110207112539.ht...

Don't smoke, drink coffee moderately, have low cholesterol, and be wealthy.




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