According to Reuters today, Iceland overtook Norway as the world’s most desirable country in which to live in the world. Based upon an index blending figures relating to life expectancy, educational levels and real per capita income, the world’s countries were rated. Rich free-market countries dominate the top places, with Iceland, Norway, Australia, Canada and Ireland the first five, but the United States slipping to 12th place from eighth last year in the U.N. Human Development Index. The U.S. scores high on real per capita GDP, which at nearly $42,000 was second only to Luxembourg at a little over $60,000.

Here are a few statistics for your consideration . . .

We have 98,000 unnecessary deaths in our health system from medical errors each year, and we spend $10 a day more on average to imprison someone in the United States than we do for long term care.

Under the category “If I had known that I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself” . . . If you are a 50 year old woman today, there is a 40% chance that you will live to be 100 years old. If you count all of the people in the history of the world who have ever reached 65 years of age, 65%of them are alive today. In 2012 five years from now, there will be more people in the United States as Social Security beneficiaries than there are working Americans to support them.

If you are a child today, there is a 30% chance that you will develop Type II diabetes. One third of all children today will be afflicted with Type II diabetes and the devastating impact of that disease.

Keep in mind that at least 30% of every health care dollar that is spent in the United States is spent on the last 30 days of life.

It’s also important to reflect on the fact that in 1993, 13.8% of the Gross Domestic Product was dedicated to health care, and by 2015, 20% of the United States GDP will be dedicated to health care. This year we spent $2.2 Trillion on health care and only 4% of that on preventative medicine.

We have 47 M uninsured and 43 M under insured citizens in the United States, and I’m not sure if that includes our illegal aliens.

Okay, how about passing this information on to our presidential candidates for their consideration because, my friends, it’s all about leadership, leadership at all levels.