Sardinia
Leading cause: Cancer · 83% plant-based · 86.2 yr life expectancy · UHC 82/100
What People Eat
World's highest concentration of male centenarians. Traditional diet of legumes, whole grains, goat milk, minimal meat.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Cancer · 115 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Cancer (115/100k) is the leading recorded cause, typical of a population that mostly survives well past the age where cardiovascular disease kills, heart disease here is a third of the EU average. The famous male-centenarian cluster rests on a traditional diet of legumes, whole grains, and minimal meat, plus a physically demanding pastoral lifestyle. Healthcare figures reflect Italy.
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- Preserve the mountain-village diet of beans, barley, and sourdough against the supermarket convenience foods spreading on the island.
- Keep the daily walking and shepherding-style activity that pairs with the diet to drive the longevity advantage.
Explore the evidence: Cancer
Longevity Blue Zone · Poulain et al., 2004 · Experimental Gerontology
→ Highest male centenarian ratio on Earth