U. S. Has Lower Life Expectancy

Johns Hopkins researchers Gerard F. Anderson's and Patricia Markovich's study Multinational Comparisons of Health System Data, 2009, includes the following graph showing life expectancy at birth for 12 countries.  The U. S. ranks last, having the shortest life expectancy for males and females among the 12 countries compared.  (Click to enlarge graph.)

Using data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, I have developed a graph to show life expectancy at age 65.  While the U. S. position improves modestly, it still ranks near the bottom of the 12 countries measured. (Click to enlarge graph.)

It is reasonable to expect that as more Americans come to receive the benefits of health insurance coverage and preventive care through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, our life expectancies should increase.