Why Do The Italians Live Longer Than Us?
This question is asked by Fergal Keane on the BBC web site in this article. This is the first two paragraphs.
What is it about the Italians? They smoke more than us, they earn less, their economy is in even worse shape than ours, they spend less on healthcare, and yet – they live longer. Not just a bit, but a whopping 18 months more on average.
They also have more years of good health before disease and disability set in.
Only speculation is offered as to the reeason of Italian longlivity. Although I do find this statement interesting.
There have been improvements in living standards here of course. But Alan Maryon-Davis, honorary Professor of Public Health at King’s College London suggests that Italy is a more cohesive and less divided society than ours. He said “There is a flatter social gradient – less difference between the haves and have-nots in Italy, and that is likely to play a role in health outcomes.”
He also speculated whether the British psyche was fatalistic when it came to illness: “I wonder if many people feel that they can ignore their health for decades in the expectation that the NHS will be there to bail them out when they get into trouble.”
Especially, as I had similar thoughts a week or so ago in this article.
It would be enlightening to see how long Italians, who have lived in the UK for some time, live! After all, if you are from an Italian family in the UK, you probably eat like an Italian, even if your family arrived here decades ago.
The article gives a lot of food for thought.
The Anonymous Widower 
I think there is also the influence of family. Like the Greeks (also famously long-lived despite bad habits), Italians value their family networks, including the extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. The family in the UK seems often to be a fragmented entity and we also seem to expect the state to help us in situations where Italians, Greeks and other Mediterranean people would look to the family instead.
Of course, those countries are now in deep economic trouble, but family is still important there and I am sure it has a bearing on their increased longevity.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 13, 2013 |
It could be a factor. As I only have one son and a cousin that talk to me, what would I know?
Comment by AnonW | March 13, 2013 |