Italy has the healthiest people in
the world despite a "difficult" economic situation, according to
the 163-country 'Bloomberg Global Health Index, out Monday. A
child born in Italy has a life expectancy of 80 years compared
to 52 years in countries like Sierra Leone, the index said.
behind Italy in the rankings came Iceland, Switzerland,
Singapore and Australia, while the United States was in 34th
place. Much of the secret of Italians' health lies in their
world-famous Mediterranean diet, the survey said. Despite
stagnant growth and high unemployment, Bloomberg said, Italians
are much healthier than Canadians, Americans and Britons, who
have higher blood pressure and colesterol as well as more
psychiatric problems. Italy has "an excess of doctors," the
survey added. Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin said diet,
lifestyles and the national health service played a part in
Italy's top position.
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