France Best, US Worst In Preventable Death Ranking

Answer 1

According to a new study published in the journal Health Affairs (.pdf), France, Japan and Australia were rated the best countries with the fewest preventable deaths from treatable conditions. The US ranked as the worst in preventable deaths.

Researchers tracked deaths from 2002 to 2003 that were deemed preventable by access to prompt and effective health care in 19 industrialized nations. The study included deaths before the age of 75 from causes such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and surgery complications.

France ranked #1 with 64.8 deaths deemed preventable per 100,000 people. Japan ranked #2 with 71.2 deaths and Australia ranked #3 with 71.3 deaths.  The US ranked last with 109.7 deaths.

A key factor in the US ranking was the large number of Americans without any health insurance. Although, researchers did note that US health care is good if a person is able to access it.