An article from CNN.com details the findings of a Harvard study.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/05/30....ap/index.html
The study cites universal health care as a major factor:
Quote:
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Canada's national health insurance program is at least part of the reason for the differences found in the study, Woolhandler said. Universal coverage makes it easier for more Canadians to get disease-preventing health services, she said.
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That's possible--but I wonder if there aren't also differences in diet and lifestyle that might account for some of it. One of the main indicators is the rate of diabetes--and type II diabetes is related to obesity. Canadian and US diets are similar, but there's a lot more prepared food down here, and the cheapest food is always the worst for you.