Thursday, May 24, 2007

Size matters

Rats. Had I been born in one of those many countries with more sensible health-care systems than the US of A, not only would I probably be healthier, but I would also be taller:

Prior to World War II, US citizens were some of the tallest people on the planet, but since then their heights have stagnated; Europeans are now on average between 2 and 6 mm taller, despite the US position as the most affluent nation on earth. Like the previous study, this data reflects the growing disparity in prosperity in the United States, where income inequality is higher now than at any time since the Gilded Age.

The rest, by Jonathan M. Gitlin is worth reading, as are the two studies he mentions.

(The report from The Commonwealth Fund, also suggests to me that Germans should stop griping so much about their health care system: yes, it's getting less generous, but the results remain impressive. Speaking from personal experience, I've found health care in Germany to be fabulous. And all the doctors are so tall...)

(Via Lawyers, Guns & Money)

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