🫀 Puerto Rican Longevity

How Puerto Rico defies expectations with longer life expectancy than the US.

Puerto Rico is a peculiar place. It's technically a US territory, and everyone born there is a US citizen, but culturally speaking, it looks a lot like a Latin American country in the Caribbean.

It therefore serves as an interesting thought experiment to compare how it does compared to the rest of the US. In terms of GDP per capita, for example, if the island were an official state, it would rank lowest in the country. It would also rank highest in poverty rate by a long shot.

And yet, amazingly, the average Puerto Rican is now expected to live four more years than the average US citizen.

Something should be fundamentally different for the better, given that access to health care on the island is the same or worse than that of the US. What unique aspects of Puerto Rico's culture could explain this surprising trend?

One potential factor is the Puerto Rican diet, which some research suggests is better for health. It's rich in black beans, rice, and fresh fruit, which could contribute to their superior longevity.

Another intriguing explanation could be the emphasis on social interaction in Puerto Rican culture. Research has shown that Latin Americans, which includes Puerto Ricans, place a higher value on social circles than the average US resident. This could be a significant factor contributing to their superior health and longevity.

Of course, the above are just theories. If you have a better one, let us know.