Other Industrialized Nations Beat U.S. on Life Expectancy

The U.S. ranks 27th in life expectancy among 30 industrialized nations that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, despite spending more than twice what other countries spend on health care, according to a survey of trends by OECD. In 2007, life expectancy at birth for U.S. residents was 78.1 years, and per capita health care spending totaled $7,290.

• "Despite Spending, U.S. Trails in Life Expectancy" (AP/Boston Globe, 12/9).