Study Shows Americans Sicker Than English

Graphic compares health surveys of middle-aged whites in England and the U.S.. (AP Graphic) (AP)

However, Britain's universal health-care system shouldn't get credit for better health, Marmot and Blendon agreed.

Both said it might explain better health for low-income citizens, but can't account for better health of Britain's more affluent residents.

Marmot cautioned against looking for explanations in the two countries' health-care systems.

"It's not just how we treat people when they get ill, but why they get ill in the first place," Marmot said.

___

EDITOR'S NOTE: Carla K. Johnson reported from Chicago, and Mike Stobbe reported from Atlanta.

___

On the Net:

JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org