What could Europe possibly have to learn from America on crime, health and mortality? Perhaps more than you might think.
For decades the stereotype of the US has been of an unhealthy and dangerous society, with eye-watering rates of violent crime and obesity, and appallingly low and stagnant life expectancy. In terms of levels, much of that remains true. But on direction of travel the story is beginning to change.
Life expectancy has increased in most countries in recent years as mortality rates receded from their Covid highs. But US lifespans have not merely returned to pre-pandemic (or even pre-fentanyl) levels, they are on a record-setting climb. Today, American men can expect to live to 77.3 years, 1.5 years longer than a decade ago. In the UK the equivalent gain has been a mere six months. In Germany it has been essentially zero. The American lifespan deficit to western Europe is on course this year to be its narrowest since 2012.