Why does Canada rank 19 in life expectancy while we rank 48?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canada is particular about who it accepts to live within its borders.

And those that wish to dismiss race as a factor clearly do not understand the differences between races.

Black Americans are more likely to suffer with obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. Inner city black men and boys are more likely to suffer from gun violence.

Canada has lots of black people from Africa and the Caribbean. I am one of them. Black people are more predisposed to obesity and diabetes, but preventive health care lengthen our lifespan.

You also mention guns. That is an American cultural thing. Black Canadians do not have guns for the most part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe because we’ve recently allowed in a lot of unhealthy people from other countries, don’t provide them with much in the way of healthcare, and they continue to die at ages consistent with their country of origin, and then drag down our average number. Could that be it?

Drive through low-immigration areas and you’ll see many obese and unhealthy Americans. Your theory is laughable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe because we’ve recently allowed in a lot of unhealthy people from other countries, don’t provide them with much in the way of healthcare, and they continue to die at ages consistent with their country of origin, and then drag down our average number. Could that be it?

See the post above yours noting that immigrants are a larger portion of Canada's population than in the U.S. So no, you can't blame this on your favorite issue. Good grief.

Agree. The Rs are always quick to blame “racial differences” and immigration. Good grief indeed.

[Anonymous]

Because our entire country is filled with dumbasses. Next question.

[Anonymous]

Better weather.

[Anonymous]

Obesity and chronic health issues. The rest is a rounding error. You can have all the state funded health care you want, it won’t fix the addiction to the yum yums. We have people bent out of shape when health care providers want to weigh them at health visits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Better weather.

? Canada has better weather than the US? Er...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canada is particular about who it accepts to live within its borders.

And those that wish to dismiss race as a factor clearly do not understand the differences between races.

Black Americans are more likely to suffer with obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. Inner city black men and boys are more likely to suffer from gun violence.

Even accounting for race... white people in the US are fatter than white Canadians.

Among the non-Hispanic white population, the prevalence of obesity is lower in Canada than in the United States,

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db56.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Racial differences.

Actually, I did some research and the main reasons cited are:

1. Universal Healthcare System
- Canada’s single-payer healthcare system (Medicare) provides universal coverage, ensuring access to preventive care—leads to earlier detection and management of conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
2. Lower Rates of Chronic Diseases
- Canadians have lower rates of obesity (29% vs. 42% in the U.S.) and related conditions like diabetes and heart disease, which are major drivers of premature death.
3. Social Safety Nets and Inequality
- Canada has stronger social safety nets, including parental leave, childcare support, and poverty reduction programs. Also lower infant mortality rates.
4. Gun Violence and Safety
- The U.S. has significantly higher rates of gun-related deaths (14.7 per 100,000 vs. Canada’s 2.1).

This is all true, but I think that another factor is that Canadians are nicer. They have a default to kindness that isn’t present in US society, and that builds a sense of social connection that is not nearly so strong in the US.

I’m only speaking as a visitor to Canada, but my experience of the kindness - from the lack of litter on the roadside to the relative courtesy of drivers to one another to the basic friendliness exhibited person to person - convinced me that it’s just a happier place to live. Not without social ills by any means - but tempered by a general atmosphere of social concern that seems lacking in the USA where I’ve lived my whole life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Canada is particular about who it accepts to live within its borders.

And those that wish to dismiss race as a factor clearly do not understand the differences between races.

Black Americans are more likely to suffer with obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. Inner city black men and boys are more likely to suffer from gun violence.

They used to be. Not anymore.

[Anonymous]

https://www.aamc.org/advocacy-policy/publication/narrowing-gap-burden-alcohol-drugs-and-firearms-us-life-expectancy

Alcohol, drugs, guns.

[Anonymous]

Free, guaranteed health care for all. Pro social policies from the government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Canada is particular about who it accepts to live within its borders.

And those that wish to dismiss race as a factor clearly do not understand the differences between races.

Black Americans are more likely to suffer with obesity, diabetes, and heart attacks. Inner city black men and boys are more likely to suffer from gun violence.

Even accounting for race... white people in the US are fatter than white Canadians.

Among the non-Hispanic white population, the prevalence of obesity is lower in Canada than in the United States,

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db56.htm

Better diet and food information.

In US it’s Kraft Mac n Cheese, in Canada it’s Kraft Dinner — because they would be to call it Kraft Mac and Processed Cheese! Though they are the top consumer of Kraft Dinner per capita!

[Anonymous]

Why is this question in the politics forum? It should be in Health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is this question in the politics forum? It should be in Health.

Public health is very much tied to politics and the choices that societies and governments make.