Over 55s in US are less healthy than their English peers but live longer

Older Americans are less healthy than their English peers but live as long or longer, depending on age group, fuelling the debate about the relative quality of healthcare in both countries.

The findings come from a new study by researchers from the Institute of Fiscal Studies in London and the non-profit US based think tank the Rand Corporation. It looked at stroke, lung disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Americans in both the 55-64 and 70-80 year age groups had a higher prevalence of disease than their counterparts in England. The study found that in the younger age group each disease was more prevalent among Americans than among the English. But while Americans aged >64 also had a …