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US still has a long way to go in human development.
Just came across this interesting article. I can't say I'm terribly surprised by any of this. I'm just glad I'm not one of the poor in this country (knock on wood).
Quote:
US slips down development index
Americans live shorter lives than citizens of almost every other developed nation, according to a report from several US charities.
The report found that the US ranked 42nd in the world for life expectancy despite spending more on health care per person than any other country.
Overall, the American Human Development Report ranked the world's richest country 12th for human development.
The study looked at US government data on health, education and income.
The report was funded by Oxfam America, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Conrad Hilton Foundation.
The report combines measurements of health, education and income into one measurement - the human development index - based on that used by the United Nations.
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Among other findings:
* Of the world's richest nations, the US has the most children (15%) living in poverty
* Of the OECD nations, the US has the most people in prison - as a percentage and in absolute numbers
* 25% of 15-year-old students performed at or below the lowest level in an international maths test - worse than Canada, France, Germany and Japan
* If the US infant mortality rate were equal to first-ranked Sweden, more than 20,000 babies would survive beyond their first year of life
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Read the whole article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7511426.stm
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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)
Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL
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