Runners in Jerusalem’s marathon. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Israel is not only the happiest country in the region, it is also the healthiest country in the Middle East.

After being ranked earlier this week as the 11th happiest country in the world, Israel was ranked as the 9th healthiest country worldwide. The two factors are probably interlinked.

The Bloomberg Global Health Index grades 163 countries based on variables such as, life expectancy, causes of death and health risks ranging from high blood pressure and tobacco use, to malnutrition and the availability of clean water.

Israel was also ranked as the healthiest country in the Middle East, with a score of 88.14 out of 100, ahead of most of Europe.

The US ranked only 34th with 73.05.

Italy topped the index, with Iceland, Switzerland, Singapore and Australia rounding out the top five most-healthy countries.

“A baby born in Italy can expect to live to be an octogenarian. But 2,800 miles south in Sierra Leone, the average newborn will die by 52,” the report said.

Israel’s high score may come as a surprise, as its location in the most dangerous neighborhood in the world, the constant threats from countries surrounding it, and the ongoing terror attacks affect its score.