Survival rates for all those things are affected by external factors that are not in the NHS' control. Smoking, drinking and obesity are all higher in the UK t

Survival rates for all those things are affected by external factors that are not in the NHS' control. Smoking, drinking and obesity are all higher in the UK than in many other Western countries, and therefore the types and severity of these issues are likely incomparable. Compound this with the cultural differences of the NHS (you don't go for a six-month check-up unless you're elderly, you just see a doctor when you're already ill), and the fact spending has been prioritised towards other areas (particularly paediatrics), you start to see a different story. But there's also the fact the median age of the UK is relatively high. It's so good at keeping alive in younger years they get older and then develop cancer, stroke and heart disease/attacks later in life where they might be less survivable. We all have to die of something. The NHS can't prevent that. What it can do is stop you having a lot of those issues earlier in life as in other countries and therefore the quality of life is improved. If you want to see an area where it's proper shit, I would not start there: go with dental work, look at obesity prevention, etc. - that's where it's really lagging behind many other countries.