Health is one of the most important indicators of a nation’s well-being and progress. A healthy nation is a prosperous nation.
But, how do countries compare when it comes to health? In this article, we’ll explore some of the best and worst countries for health.
Methodology of Rankings
There are many factors that contribute to a nation’s overall health. Some of these factors include life expectancy, disease prevalence, access to healthcare, and quality of healthcare.
To rank the countries based on overall health, we used a combination of these factors.
We collected data from reputable sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank. We then created a weighted index based on the factors we selected. The countries were then ranked based on their index score.
The Best Countries for Health
Here are the top 5 countries with the best health:.
1. Japan
Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world, at 84 years. This is largely due to its healthy diet, active lifestyle, and high-quality healthcare system. The Japanese also have lower rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
2. Switzerland
Switzerland has a robust healthcare system that provides universal coverage to all its citizens. The country also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, at 83 years.
Switzerland is known for its healthy lifestyle choices, which include a diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
3. Spain
Spain has a highly efficient healthcare system that’s accessible to all its citizens. The country also has a high life expectancy, at 82 years.
Spain is known for its Mediterranean diet, which is rich in healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
4. Singapore
Singapore has one of the best healthcare systems in Asia, with universal coverage for all its citizens. The country also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world, at 81 years.
Singaporeans are known for their healthy lifestyle choices, which include regular exercise and a low-fat diet.
5. Italy
Italy is known for its healthy Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The country also has a robust healthcare system that’s accessible to all its citizens. Italy has a high life expectancy, at 83 years.
The Worst Countries for Health
Here are the bottom 5 countries with the worst health:.
1. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a healthcare system that’s severely lacking. The country has a low life expectancy, at just 54 years.
Sierra Leone also has a high prevalence of infectious diseases such as malaria and Ebola.
2. Central African Republic
The Central African Republic has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world, at just 52 years. This is largely due to a poor healthcare system and high rates of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
3. Lesotho
Lesotho is a small country in southern Africa that’s plagued by poverty and a lack of healthcare resources. The country has a low life expectancy, at just 54 years. Lesotho also has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
4. Chad
Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a healthcare system that’s severely lacking. The country has a low life expectancy, at just 53 years. Chad also has a high prevalence of infectious diseases such as malaria and polio.
5. Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a healthcare system that’s severely lacking, with few resources and high rates of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. The country has a low life expectancy, at just 64 years.
Conclusion
Overall, it’s clear that there are significant disparities in health between different countries.
The best countries for health share common traits such as a high-quality healthcare system, healthy lifestyle choices, and a low prevalence of chronic diseases. The worst countries for health, on the other hand, are often plagued by poverty, a lack of healthcare resources, and high rates of infectious diseases.