Happiest people? Best healthcare?

[lovemyjobsometimes]

Was hearing alot about an ABC 20/20 segement about the happiest people in the world. I guess Denmark was rated #1 and one of the reasons being that they supposedly have a first rate universal health care system. My take on it is 5.5 million people, 65-70% taxes, 3.5 physicains per 1,000 people, low rate of obesity due to the fact most people ride bikes. No mention of their hospitals or nurse staffing. Just curious if there was anyone out there that saw the show and wondering what their take on it is....

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

In addition to healthcare, there was the education system, government subsidized social groups and a few other things. The piece really didn't focus on healthcare in particular one bit. In fact, I believe it was just mentioned as one of the things their high taxes allow for.

I believe they said the taxes were up to 63%. Because of that, there is little disparity between most persons' salaries, so people are encouraged to pursue employment that they love instead of employment that will make them money. I think of anything, that would make me the happiest living there. Despite the high taxes, when asked their happiness level, from 1-10, most rated it around 8 and mentioned they really have little to complain about.

One thing that was interesting was that they mentioned that in their population, 9/10 persons are Danes and 8/10 are Lutheran. So it was easier for them as a society to accept that their taxes would go to pay for services that benefit people who look and think like them.