Great Graphic: GDP and Longevity

Here is an Great Graphic by Stephen Hicks using Gapminder data.  The horizontal axis is GDP per capita at purchasing power parity terms. The vertical axis is life expectancy at birth. 

It illustrates the importance of wealth on longevity.  There are of course other factors.  It suggests that life expectancy is in large a function of the distribution of economic benefits. 

There is some risk that the relationship depicted here breaks down.  Perhaps a point of diminishing returns.  Imagine a high GDP per capita country where the children get inundated with sugars and fructose, producing higher levels of childhood obesity and the early onset of other health complications.