Israel is the sixth healthiest country in the world, way ahead of the United States, in 33rd place, while Singapore, Italy, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan head the list compiled by Bloomberg.

Among the factors in determining the rankings are life expectancy, infant mortality, causes of death, mortality rates, the number of smokers, alcohol consumption, physical activity and pollution.

The “risk score” was subtracted from the “health score” to determine the rank of countries with a population of more than 1 million people. Israel’s health grade alone would have placed it in fifth pace, ahead of Japan, but the health risk penalty moved it down one ranking.

Canada was ranked in 14th place and Britain was number 21.

After Israel, Spain was in seventh place, followed by The Netherlands, Sweden and Germany.

Among comments from readers on the article, one said, “These countries largely ban GMO [Genetically modified organism] food or require it to be labeled and don´t put corn syrup and gmo soy into everything.”

Another wrote. “Capitalism is falling on its face in U.S. health care. Managed care nations excel. Mass advertising of prescription drugs is a license to steal.” (IsraelNationalNews © 2011 08/20/12)