WHY do people in these countries live longer than we do in the United States?

OUR GREATEST HEALTH HAZARD is the economic "gap" between the rich and the poor. With greater economic inequality comes worse health — lower life expectancy and higher mortality rates. The U.S. spends the most money on health care, but ties for 25th place in life expectancy.

All of the countries that rank higher in the Health Olympics have a smaller gap in income distribution between their richest and poorest citizens.

(from UNDP Human Development Report)

6 STEPS you can take
to help close the gap.

1. Fight for JUSTICE to reduce the gap between rich and poor. Being active as a public citizen is good for your health.
2. Advocate for CHILD-SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS where children get love, care, and opportunities to develop. Ways of becoming involved center around acting to promote true family values.
3. Promote SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL CONNECTIONS in your community. Know and share with your neighbors. Communities where people trust and help one another are healthier than places with less cooperation.
4. Work to increase WOMEN’S STATUS AND OPPORTUNITIES in society. Where women’s status is higher, everyone’s health is better. When women have a larger role in society, it’s good for all of us.
5. Strive to end stressful, low-paid WORK. A sense of control and a decent workplace go along with the right to have a union and a commitment to end discrimination at work. We must improve working conditions for everyone.
6. JOIN the POPULATION HEALTH FORUM. Subscribe to our listserv, join us at our meetings, and consider organizing chapters in your communities. We want to hear your ideas for making the world a healthier place!

The Population Health Forum is a group of academics, citizens, students, and activists across several nations who work to build support for changing the rules of society so that better health comes naturally.