(Ha'aretz) Meirav Arlosoroff - At 81.5, Israel has the sixth highest life expectancy in the world. Moreover, Israeli men can expect to live 79.6 years, on average, the third highest in the world, bested only by men in Switzerland (79.9) and Iceland (79.7). Is it the local Mediterranean diet? Other Mediterranean countries have similar dietary habits. Greece, for example, lags far behind Israel in life expectancy. Is it the advanced egalitarian health system? Scandinavian countries have no less of an advanced and progressive health system, yet Israelis tend to live longer. Some experts point to low alcohol consumption and considerably less criminal violence among Israeli men, or the fact that genetically mixed populations are usually sturdier - Israel is benefiting from the genetic fusion of its diverse migrant communities. Other sociological theories point to strong and healthy communal and family ties as contributors to longevity, as well as a culture featured by a zest for life. Professor Yehuda Kahane notes that the difficulties of life in Israel may contribute to a toughness and enhanced survival. It has been documented that there was a rise in life expectancy in London during World War II. While thousands of young British men died on the battlefront, the elderly left behind stopped dying. The war brought about social cohesion and gave purpose to life, which prolonged the lives of the elderly folks at home. The ongoing conflict and ideological struggles give life more content and meaning than in other developed countries, and this may well contribute to the high life expectancy.
2012-06-08 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive