U.S. women's life expectancy has dropped to the bottom of wealthy nations over the last 50 years, according to a report from the Center for Retirement Research.
Overall, the center reported that U.S. lifespan has not flourished compared to countries such as Canada, France, and Japan, pointing to obesity as the No. 1 culprit and calling the U.S. a "plus-size" nation.
"Historically, smoking played an important role in this difference, especially for women, the report stated. "However, in recent years, the analysis suggests that the negative effects from rising levels of obesity have surpassed the positive effects from cessation of smoking. Whether life expectancy in the United States can catch up to that of other high-income countries may depend on its ability to curb the prevalence of obesity and its harmful effects."
According to the report, the life expectancies for men and women in the U.S. are below that of other high-income countries, but the turn has been more dramatic for women.
"Life expectancy for U.S. women in 1960 was among the highest in the world, but this pattern began to reverse in the 1980s. Today, life expectancy for women lags 2.5 years behind other high-income countries. Thus, the overall decline in the U.S. ranking is largely a woman's story, although U.S. men have started to slip in recent years," the report said.
In 1960, the U.S. life expectancy at 65 was 14.3 years, third best in the world behind Canada (14.7) and the Netherlands (14.6). Today, the U.S.'s 19.4-year life expectancy is 10th. France leads all countries at 22.7 years, followed by Japan (22.1) and Spain (21.6).
Other countries on the list include Italy (21.5), Australia (21.1), Canada (20.8), the United Kingdom (20.6), and Germany (20.1).
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