I know a lot of people who immediately say, "this shows we need socialized medicine," but if the US was on par with other nations 50 years ago with far less intervention, that argument seems less relevant. Additionally, there are more and more clinics experimenting with concierge service, open pricing, in-house pharmacists with minimal markup, and refusal to accept insurance to lower costs for their patients, so it's not like the market process is what costs so much.

There is also a definite culture of the Protestant work ethic taken to toxic extremes. We also bear a lot of artificial costs at every level of economic activity. Our food here is riddled with artificial flavors, dyes, preservatives, sugar, and other additives which are less prevalent in Europe and may (or may not) contribute to the decreased lifespan.

Assuming the data is accurate (I am accepting it as presented) it's very easy to demand simple answers and top-down mandates in response because it feels like doing something. No one wants to ask what the root causes are or whether the proposed response is effective or counterproductive though.