The health of Canadians was ranked 10th among 16 developed countries in a study released Tuesday - good enough for a B grade, but down from the fifth-place finish Canada earned in the 1990s.

While Canada's health-care system still remains the envy of much of the developed world, individuals aren't as healthy as people in Japan, Switzerland or Sweden, according to the report by the Conference Board of Canada.

The study took into account a number of factors, such as deaths due to specific diseases, infant mortality and life expectancy. It concluded that a relatively high rate of deaths from complications related to diabetes was the main reason that Canada's ranking has suffered.

Canada's surging prevalence of diabetes - some two million cases, or one in 11 Canadians - and relatively high mortality rates for cancer patients suggest that more has to be done to encourage healthier lifestyles.

"New estimates suggest that one-third of cancers could be prevented with increased vegetable and fruit consumption, increased physical activity, and maintenance of a healthy body weight," the report says, adding that rising levels of alcohol consumption and obesity further contributed to declining health.

"It is becoming more apparent that individuals must be held more accountable for their own health and must understand the impact of their actions on the health system, especially in terms of rising rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease."

The study concludes that countries with the best health status often have older populations and spend less on their health care systems than Canada, yet Canada's grade is suffering from a lack of innovation in health care and a shortage of personal responsibility.

On average through the 1990s, Canada ranked fifth in the health status sweepstakes, a position now held by Australia. For the decade starting in 2000, Canada has actually maintained an average grade of C, although a slight uptick in the most recent year brings the grade back up to B.

The U.S. finished in 15th place of the 16 countries evaluated, and Denmark has the unenviable last-place position.

By Mike Barber , Canwest News Service - canada.com