Editorial: Life expectancy revolves around choices

Green Valley residents will be happy to know that Americans are living longer, according to statistics released last week by the Census Bureau and domestic numbers from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Many area retirees stay vibrant well into their 80s and some into their 90s, a reflection of the active lifestyle in the community. Residents here, generally, play more tennis and golf than most and eat healthier. They have planned better for the future, saving money for retirement that includes health-care expenses and other unexpected emergencies. They live in a relatively safe place in their golden years, despite the threat of occasional border crime.

But in keeping with a worldwide trend, people in 41 countries can expect to live longer than U.S. residents. A baby born here in 2004 will live an average of 77.9 years, a lower life expectancy than Canada, most of Europe and ahead of Mexico.

The average American has an improved lifestyle, with better health care, nutrition and safety serving as benchmarks. Fewer Americans smoke but more are obese and nearly 45 million lack health insurance.

“Something’s wrong here when one of the richest countries in the world, the one that spends the most on health care, is not able to keep up with other countries,” Dr. Christopher Murray, head of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, said in a telling comment to The Associated Press.

Andorra, a small country in the Pyrenees mountains sandwiched between France and Spain, had the longest life expectancy, at 83.5 years, according to the Census Bureau. Canada’s life expectancy was 80 years. Mexico’s was 74.9 years.

The shortest life expectancies were clustered in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region that has been hit hard by an epidemic of HIV and AIDS, as well as famine and civil strife. Swaziland has the shortest, at 34.1 years.

Why has the United States fallen behind other industrialized nations? It has to do with more than a lack of universal health care and access to doctors and prescriptions. It has to do with unwise choices and culture of violence in many neighborhoods.

We have one of the highest obesity rates in the world. Nearly a third of U.S. adults 20 years and older are obese. Two-thirds are overweight, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The condition is by choice. Younger generations find it easier to sit on the couch than exercise or eat healthy food. Americans love fast-food, watching television and playing video games. Families with two wage earners have little choice but to leave children at home, where they fend for themselves.

We experience racial disparities not present in Europe or Canada. Black Americans have an average life expectancy of 73.3 years, five years shorter than white Americans. Shockingly, black men have a life expectancy of 69.8 years, slightly longer than the averages for Iran and Syria and slightly shorter than in Nicaragua and Morocco, because of high homicide rates. The murder rate reflects the dangerous neighborhoods in which many blacks live, especially large urban areas like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Sadly, a high percentage of babies born in the U.S. die before their first birthday, compared with other industrialized nations. Forty countries had lower infant mortality rates than the U.S. in 2004. The U.S. rate was 6.8 deaths for every 1,000 live births. It was 13.7 for black Americans, the same as Saudi Arabia. Black women often raise children in horrific conditions, with a lack of money and single-parent homes contributing to a vicious cycle of poverty.

Many social critics have concluded that health care is the key to improve life expectancy. In doing so, they correctly point out that many Americans cannot afford to go to the doctor, even with health insurance. Co-payments are higher than ever. Drug prices are hard to afford. But the pundits miss the big picture in keeping the debate focused on insurance. Prevention should be the primary focus.

Lawmakers and health-care professionals need to figure out ways to reduce cancer, heart disease and lung disease. Stepped-up efforts to reduce tobacco use, control blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and regulate blood sugar should follow closely in line.

In minority neighborhoods, violence must be repudiated instead of being worn as a badge of honor. Prevention programs in schools must target young black males and help them understand their destiny.

In the final analysis, the lesson on life expectancy is not about insurance or access to doctors. It’s about changing our lifestyle, emphasizing prevention and making better choices.

Respond by e-mailing letters@gvnews.com.