The world's healthiest countries, ranked
By Ashley Welch
/ CBS News
Spain just surpassed Italy as the world's healthiest nation. That's according to this year's edition of the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index, which ranks 169 countries on factors that contribute to overall health.
Six of the top 10 countries were in Europe, with Italy ranking second, followed by Iceland, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway.
In contrast, the United States didn't even break into the top 30, ranking at number 35, one notch worse than last year.
The top 10 healthiest nations, according to the report, were:
- Spain
- Italy
- Iceland
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Australia
- Singapore
- Norway
- Israel
To come up with the rankings, Bloomberg researchers graded nations based on several factors including life expectancy, while giving penalties for health risks such as obesity and tobacco use. Environmental factors like access to clean water and sanitation were also taken into account.
The results mirror other research that came out last fall looking at future life expectancies in 195 countries and territories around the world. In that study, published in the international medical journal The Lancet, Spain also ranked first, with a projected life expectancy of 85.8 years by 2040. The United States ranked 64th.
Experts say the eating habits of the Mediterranean diet may provide clues for why Spain and Italy enjoy such good health. This heart-healthy diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, along with healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and avocados.
A number of studies have shown the Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease and may have numerous other health benefits, including reduction of LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, as well as a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer. One study published in British Journal of Nutrition found that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a 25 percent lower chance of death from any cause.
People in Spain also benefit from a national health system focused on preventative care, according to a review by The European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, which praised its "principles of universality, free access, equity and financial fairness."
One of the main reasons the U.S. ranks so poorly compared to other developed nations is the obesity epidemic, which shows little sign of letting up. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate nearly 40 percent of American adults — equivalent to 93.3 million people — are obese.
Life expectancy in the U.S. has also been driven down in recent years due to so-called deaths of despair, including suicide and drug overdoses. For the first time, Americans were even more likely to die from opioid overdoses than car accidents.
Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 27 of the 30 unhealthiest nations in the Bloomberg rankings. Haiti, Afghanistan and Yemen were also in the bottom 30.
First published on February 25, 2019 / 4:58 PM
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Ashley Welch
Ashley Welch covers health and wellness for CBSNews.com
Twitter 
Tom Steyer: Public deserves to see Mueller report
"We paid for the Mueller report. We deserve to see the Mueller report," the liberal billionaire activist told CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe
0M ago 
The world's healthiest countries, ranked
Six of the top 10 healthiest countries are in Europe, while indicators in the United States were pretty grim
12M ago 
Robert Kraft paid for sex act before AFC Championship: police
Kraft's arraignment is scheduled for April 24 at 8:30 a.m
13M ago 
U.S. stocks climb as investors cheer U.S.-China trade talks
Growing optimism that the two sides are moving closer to a deal is keeping early 2019's rally going
50M ago 
Nike’s Serena Williams ad encourages girls to "dream crazier"
"So if they want to call you crazy, fine. Show them what crazy can do," Williams says in the uplifting ad
1H ago
Tom Steyer: Public deserves to see Mueller report
"We paid for the Mueller report. We deserve to see the Mueller report," the liberal billionaire activist told CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe
0M ago 
The Trump-Kim summit: Where Americans stand on North Korea
CBS News poll analysis shows few Americans believe North Korea has reduced its nuclear program, and most do not favor another summit now
4H ago 
Trump calls Spike Lee's Oscar speech a "racist hit"
Lee urged viewers to choose "love versus hate" in the 2020 election – Trump called the comments a "racist hit"
4H ago 
Pence: Maduro "danced" while "henchmen" murdered civilians
Announcing news sanctions on Maduro regime, Pence voices U.S. support for Venezuela's interim President Juan Guaidó
5H ago 
Trump predicts a "very tremendous summit" with Kim Jong Un
Trump addressed the nation's governors before leaving for his second summit with North Korea's leader
6H ago 
The world's healthiest countries, ranked
Six of the top 10 healthiest countries are in Europe, while indicators in the United States were pretty grim
12M ago 
After personal tragedy, U.S. couple makes skiing history
After Jim Morrison lost his wife and kids in a plane crash, he and his new partner Hilaree Nelson have reached the pinnacle of their sport
4H ago 
As Venezuela crisis escalates, "all options" considered
Secretary of State Pompeo says U.S. will not rule out military force in challenging Venezuelan president
5H ago
Pence: Maduro "danced" while "henchmen" murdered civilians
Announcing news sanctions on Maduro regime, Pence voices U.S. support for Venezuela's interim President Juan Guaidó
5H ago 
Russia says U.S. sought "advice" ahead of Trump-Kim summit
Top diplomat in Moscow casually claims "U.S. is even asking our advice" as President Trump prepares for 2nd face-to-face with Kim Jong Un
7H ago 
Movie box office sales down 28 percent this year
Films released so far this year have struggled to compete with Black Panther and other mega hits from 2018
2H ago 
R. Kelly pleads not guilty, remains jailed on sex abuse charges
Singer's lawyer argued he is not a flight risk at a bond hearing: "Contrary to the song, Mr. Kelly doesn't like to fly"
3H ago 
Lady Gaga wears 128-carat Tiffany Diamond
The last time the diamond was worn was in 1961 by a film icon.
4H ago
Trump calls Spike Lee's Oscar speech a "racist hit"
Lee urged viewers to choose "love versus hate" in the 2020 election – Trump called the comments a "racist hit"
4H ago 
"Surviving R. Kelly" executive producer reacts to singer's charges
Dream Hampton says many women who told their stories on camera have been "doxxed, disbelieved, dragged on Twitter"
6H ago 
Lime warns that its electric scooters can brake without warning
Urging caution, scooter maker blames software bug for injuries tied to sudden, unexpected stops
2H ago 
Horrified mom discovers suicide instructions on YouTube Kids
She has made it her mission to bring awareness to disturbing and violent content being consumed by children on social media
Feb 23 
Microsoft workers protest use of HoloLens headsets for war
They say they "refuse to create technology for warfare and oppression"
Feb 23 
I opened an email from a "friend." It turned out to be a trick — and dangerous
The email had her photo and mentioned personal details only she would know
Feb 23 
NASA, SpaceX set for critical test flight
Test flight intended to clear the way for summer resumption of piloted space missions from U.S. soil
Feb 22
The world's healthiest countries, ranked
Six of the top 10 healthiest countries are in Europe, while indicators in the United States were pretty grim
12M ago 
Consumer group finds traces of weed killer in beer and wine
Even products from organic makers have been found to contain glyphosate, with only one beer given the all-clear
1H ago 
86 tons of Boston Market meals recalled over glass, plastic
Consumers urged to check freezers after recall of frozen pork dinners from retailers nationwide
5H ago 
Company may have leaked carcinogen into air for years
Breathing in high concentrations of the chemical TCE has been linked to kidney cancer, liver cancer and lymphoma
Feb 22 
Child dies a day after flu diagnosis
41 children have died from flu-related causes this flu season, including a fourth-grader who died just one day after being diagnosed
Feb 22 
U.S. stocks climb as investors cheer U.S.-China trade talks
Growing optimism that the two sides are moving closer to a deal is keeping early 2019's rally going
50M ago
Nike’s Serena Williams ad encourages girls to "dream crazier"
"So if they want to call you crazy, fine. Show them what crazy can do," Williams says in the uplifting ad
1H ago
Consumer group finds traces of weed killer in beer and wine
Even products from organic makers have been found to contain glyphosate, with only one beer given the all-clear
1H ago
Movie box office sales down 28 percent this year
Films released so far this year have struggled to compete with Black Panther and other mega hits from 2018
2H ago
Lime warns that its electric scooters can brake without warning
Urging caution, scooter maker blames software bug for injuries tied to sudden, unexpected stops
2H ago 
Robert Kraft paid for sex act before AFC Championship: police
Kraft's arraignment is scheduled for April 24 at 8:30 a.m
13M ago 
Man allegedly killed brother's family over missing money
Authorities unsealed court documents charging Paul Caneiro with murdering his brother, sister-in-law, a niece and nephew
3H ago
R. Kelly pleads not guilty, remains jailed on sex abuse charges
Singer's lawyer argued he is not a flight risk at a bond hearing: "Contrary to the song, Mr. Kelly doesn't like to fly"
3H ago 
Woman recounts sex assault after man was given access to her hotel room
Cheri Marchionda was traveling alone for work when a man was given a key to her room at an Iowa Embassy Suites hotel without having to verify his identity
9H ago 
CBS San Francisco TV news crew's camera stolen, guard shot
The crew was covering the teachers' strike in Oakland, California, when an armed suspect pulled a gun out Sunday
18H ago
