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Tuesday 11 August 2009
Healthcare and the CIA World Factbook

First fact, our death rate per 1,000 people. Out of 223 countries and territories listed, we rank in position 102. That is, there are 101 countries  and territories that have a worse death rate than us. And, there are 121 countries and territories that have a lower death rate than us, per 1,000 inhabitants. Our infant mortality rate puts us as 180 out of 223 countries and territories. That is, there are 179 countries and territories that have a worse infant mortality rate than us and 43 countries and territories that have a better infant mortality rate than us. Our life expectancy at birth ranks us 50th in the world. That is there are 49 countries that have a higher life expectancy than us and 173 countries that have a worse life expectancy at birth than us.

By the way, Canada, France, England, Germany, Greece, Finland, etc. are ahead of us in those categories.

The July 17, 2008 edition of The Lancet Oncology did publish a study where they found that the best survival rates for breast and prostate cancers are in the USA. However, the same article pointed out that the best survival rates for colon and rectal cancers overall are in Japan, while among women the best survival rates for colon and rectal cancers are in France. The US News and World Report also pointed out that, “… Canada and Australia also have very high survival rates for most cancers.” The conclusion by the American Cancer Society was that, “… the study provides evidence for what has long been suspected — namely, that where you live plays a role in cancer survival.” But, what the study did NOT say was that the USA had the best overall cancer survival rates. It only had the best cancer survival rates among certain cancers, but not among others. So, the claim that the USA has the best cancer survival rates is only partially true.

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