The Bloomberg Global Health Index has published the top 25 healthiest nations in the world and the United States didn’t make the list. In fact it dropped one spot to come in at a paltry 35th. Italy was ranked in second place among the 169 nations that were rated for 2019.
It is quite evident that all countries are not created equal and there are a variety of factors that contribute to healthy, happy countries, as well as factors that contribute to unhealthy countries. Typically, the healthiest countries are those that are developed with elements that we take for granted such as safe drinking water and access to health care. These factors add measurably to the quality of life and to a higher life expectancy. The Bloomberg Global Health Index, which is published every other year, gives each country a rating out of a top score of 100. During 2017, Italy scored the highest and was deemed the healthiest country in the world, with a score of 93. For 2019, the nation dropped a bit to 91.6 and brought it to second place, right behind the top spot of Spain with 92.8. For comparison, the United States scored a meager 74 points. Additionally, Italy’s life expectancy of 83.5 years is the third highest in the world and the highest in either Europe or the Americas.
The United States ranking at 35, placed it between Costa Rica in 34th and Bahrain in 36th. Interestingly, Cuba placed five spots above the U.S. making it the only nation not classified as “high income” by the World Bank to be ranked that high. One reason for the island nation’s success may be its emphasis on preventative health care over America’s focus on diagnosing and treating illnesses.
So how does Italy do it? Factors including outdoor activities and exercise, high-quality health care and healthy diets are just a few of the things that contribute to healthier lifestyles and higher life expectancies. Italy is known around the world for its healthy diet and lifestyle, so it comes as no surprise to hear it came second.
Eating habits certainly provide clues to health levels enjoyed by Italians. Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet, supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, results in a lower rate of major cardiovascular events than those assigned to a reduced-fat diet. Meats in Italy are not eaten in the same portions as one will find in the U.S. and are eaten as a separate course. The Mediterranean Diet features olive oil over butter, a much better choice for your arteries, contributing to a lower risk factor of both heart attacks and strokes. Another healthy component in the Italian diet is garlic, which lowers the chance of heart disease, lowers blood pressure and helps to prevent strokes. It also is very high in antioxidants and is considered to aid in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
Even some of the traditional dishes that we associate with the Italian diet are consumed differently than you will find over here. Pasta and pizza are prime examples. Italians eat simple pizzas with healthier toppings, rather than slices overloaded with fatty or greasy toppings. Contrast the simplicity of a Margherita pizza versus the artery clogging nature of a meat lover’s pizza. Additionally, you will find that although pasta is often one of the dishes during dinner, it is not consumed in large servings. Contributing to the quality of life is the Italian manner of having dinner, where the family comes together to enjoy the meal in a relaxed atmosphere, rather than eating on the run or wolfing down the meal to quickly return to your cell, apps and the like.
An additional reason why Italians might be living longer is the inherent exercise in their daily routines. Many people in towns throughout Italy take a walk after dinner, usually with their family members and children – the Passeggiata. Socializing with neighbors and relatives while taking a leisurely stroll through town adds to one’s well-being.
In addition, the number of hills and steps the average Italian has to navigate in their daily lives is much more than in the U.S. Only 20% of Italy is flat. As soon as you head inland from the seas, the foothills give way to mountains. Most towns in Italy were built in an era of feudal warfare, causing them to be built on top of hills and cliffs for protection of their communities. As a result, many towns are very hilly, containing thousands of steps and inclines. In the rural towns if Italy, exercise is something that most people get, whether they plan on it or not.
Finally, Italy has one of the most efficient healthcare systems in the world and the Italian universal healthcare system continues to improve year by year. The Bloomberg rankings are based on countries that have a population of at least one million and provide a health score and a health-risk score. Each country’s spot was calculated by subtracting their risk score from their health score. The health score is based on such factors as life expectancy and causes of death, while health-risk is based on factors which could negatively impact health, such as the proportion of young people who smoke, the number of people with high cholesterol and the number of immunizations. Each country in the index was graded based on variables such as life expectancy, causes of death and health risks ranging from high blood pressure and tobacco use to malnutrition and the availability of clean water.
As good as the Italian healthcare system is, the most common complaints are long lines, waiting times for special tests and for seeing specialists. Most of the population was very satisfied with the medical care that they receive from their doctors and also the universal aspect of the system. So as Italians would say – La salute prima di tutto! Health is first of all!
