Big lessons the US can learn from a country with one of the fastest-growing lifespans
World Health Organization data show South Korea added 7.94 years in life expectancy as U.S. rankings fell toward the bottom among developed nations.
- South Korea's life expectancy jumped 7.94 years between 2000 and 2021, according to the World Health Organization, while the United States has dropped toward the bottom rankings for developed nations.
- A major differentiator is healthcare; American physicians are paid for treating disease rather than preventing it, while frequent medical visits remain common and affordable in South Korea, AFP journalist Hieun Shin explained.
- Poor diet quality affects nearly half of American adults, according to a 2025 study, while South Korean lifestyle factors—physical exercise, social interaction, and healthy eating—contribute significantly to longevity.
- Dr. Karen Studer, chair of preventive medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California, recommends regular screenings, plant-based eating, and exercise; small habits can yield significant health gains.
- Social isolation increases premature death risk by 32%, underscoring the importance of community connection; South Korean senior Park stated, "I'm with friends laughing all day. There's no room for sickness.
13 Articles
13 Articles
If you want to live a long and healthy life, you'd do better in South Korea than in the United States.
Grandes lecciones que Estados Unidos puede aprender de un país con una de las esperanzas de vida de mayor crecimiento
Por Madeline Holcombe, CNN Si quieres vivir una vida larga y saludable, te iría mejor en Corea del Sur que en Estados Unidos. En la década de 1980, el país estaba más o menos en el promedio en términos de esperanza de vida entre las naciones desarrolladas. Pero desde entonces, gran parte del mundo ha mejorado, y Estados Unidos ha caído a los últimos lugares de esa lista. En la otra punta del mundo, la esperanza de vida ha crecido rápidamente en …
Big lessons the US can learn from a country with one of the fastest-growing lifespans - Technology Shout
Editor’s note: The CNN original series Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever follows journalist Kara Swisher as she explores the booming life-extension industry and the people determined to defy death. Watch episode five on Saturday at 9pm ET and stream the premiere episode live on the CNN app. If you want to live a long and healthy life, Korea is better than the United States. In the 1980s, my country’s life expectancy was about the average level …
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