It's a bit too simplistic to equate Soviet Union to Russia. Georgia was also a part of USSR and now is #65 in the world. And they have been through wars and occupation. Medicine is just one of factors in life expectancy. Things like Caribbean climate may help. Regards Slav -----Original Message----- From: Russell Coker [mailto:russell@coker.com.au] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rs.html http://tinyurl.com/psqnn6t The Russian life expectancy is still only 69, so whatever they are doing now it's apparently not working too well. The second URL above has the CIA ranking of countries according to life expectancy. Cuba is #59 and Russia is #152. If the Russian government cared about the welfare of their people then they would look at the examples of Cuba and Germany. However it appears that modern Russia is what the libertarians aspire to, so it seems unlikely that they will improve things. "This e-mail and any attachments to it (the "Communication") is, unless otherwise stated, confidential, may contain copyright material and is for the use only of the intended recipient. If you receive the Communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail, delete the Communication and the return e-mail, and do not read, copy, retransmit or otherwise deal with it. Any views expressed in the Communication are those of the individual sender only, unless expressly stated to be those of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited ABN 11 005 357 522, or any of its related entities including ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited (together "ANZ"). ANZ does not accept liability in connection with the integrity of or errors in the Communication, computer virus, data corruption, interference or delay arising from or in respect of the Communication."