Helen Pearson
@helenpearson.bsky.social
Science journalist & editor for Nature, author, teacher at University College London.
The US is an outlier in high spending on healthcare, as this chart shows.
But compared with similar high-income countries, it’s also unusual in lacking universal health insurance. This + high costs means people seek care later in a disease, hence more premature death.
But compared with similar high-income countries, it’s also unusual in lacking universal health insurance. This + high costs means people seek care later in a disease, hence more premature death.
June 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The US is an outlier in high spending on healthcare, as this chart shows.
But compared with similar high-income countries, it’s also unusual in lacking universal health insurance. This + high costs means people seek care later in a disease, hence more premature death.
But compared with similar high-income countries, it’s also unusual in lacking universal health insurance. This + high costs means people seek care later in a disease, hence more premature death.
Why do more young people die young in the US? Chronic diseases are one big driver of premature deaths in 15-49 year olds, as shown here. Obesity is a big driver.
But what really sets the US apart is high death rates from drug abuse, car accidents and suicide / homicide (largely by guns).
But what really sets the US apart is high death rates from drug abuse, car accidents and suicide / homicide (largely by guns).
June 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Why do more young people die young in the US? Chronic diseases are one big driver of premature deaths in 15-49 year olds, as shown here. Obesity is a big driver.
But what really sets the US apart is high death rates from drug abuse, car accidents and suicide / homicide (largely by guns).
But what really sets the US apart is high death rates from drug abuse, car accidents and suicide / homicide (largely by guns).
The US has higher death rates than comparable rich countries in most age groups, but the biggest difference is in young adults.
Young deaths drag down life expectancy more than older ones.
Young deaths drag down life expectancy more than older ones.
June 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
The US has higher death rates than comparable rich countries in most age groups, but the biggest difference is in young adults.
Young deaths drag down life expectancy more than older ones.
Young deaths drag down life expectancy more than older ones.
US life expectancy at birth (78.4 years) is 4 years shorter than the average of 11 comparably large, wealthy countries.
Life expectancy plateaued around 2010, and COVID widened the gap.
Life expectancy plateaued around 2010, and COVID widened the gap.
June 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
US life expectancy at birth (78.4 years) is 4 years shorter than the average of 11 comparably large, wealthy countries.
Life expectancy plateaued around 2010, and COVID widened the gap.
Life expectancy plateaued around 2010, and COVID widened the gap.