Spain tops healthiest country in the world ranking, US 17th
The Mediterranean diet, full of fresh vegetables, olive oil and nuts may be the reason for Spain topping the world’s healthiest country list.
Spaniards have the highest healthy life expectancy in Europe according to a new report.
The new report by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) found that Spain topped most developed countries for health and healthcare despite a dire financial crisis.
The Guardian said that the report analyzed data from the Global Burden of Disease Study that took place in 2010.
Researchers compared 15 EU countries as well as the United States, Canada, Australia and Norway, said Sky News.
The rankings focused on years of healthy life before disease, rather than strict life expectency.
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Spaniards could expect to live 70.9 years of a healthy life before disease.
Italy was second at 70.2 years and Australia followed close behind in third place.
The UK was down at 68.6 years.
The United States came in 17th out of 19 countries, reported the Associated Press.
Researchers speculated that the Mediterranean diet was a leading reason for better health in Spain and Italy, reported the Telegraph.
Weather, stronger families and more walking may also have something to do with it.
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