Oct. 10, 2010 (BBC) -- The U.S. healthcare system is to blame for declines in the country's life expectancy ranking, a study suggests.
The Columbia University report rejects claims that factors such as obesity have shortened life-spans for Americans relative to other wealthy nations.
The study blames reliance on costly and fragmented specialised care, and calls for systemic reform.
Its release comes as President Barack Obama's healthcare reform remains a key issue in upcoming mid-term elections.
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