A new study from health insurance provider William Russell has revealed which countries have the greatest health freedoms in the world.
And Australia has been placed in the top 10.Click on to discover where Australia ranks, and what these health freedoms include.
1. Switzerland
Switzerland came first place with a health freedom score of 8.34.
As well as providing access to legalised medicinal cannabis, it has decriminalised its recreational use.
The European country allows active voluntary euthanasia and has no restrictions on abortions, while providing universal healthcare.
2. Luxembourg
The land-locked European country of Luxembourg came in second.
It was given a health freedom score of 7.83 as it provides universal healthcare, has legalised medicinal cannabis and decriminalised medicinal use, and allows active voluntary euthanasia.
It also has no restrictions on abortions.
3. Canada
Almost the same suite of freedoms are offered in Canada, which was given a health freedom score of 7.6.
However the alcohol buying age is slightly higher in the country than Luxemburg and Switzerland – 18 compared to 16.
Also medicinal and recreational cannabis have both been legalised.
4. Belgium
Belgium was number four on the list with a health freedom score of 7.52.
The country has no restrictions on abortions and provides access to universal healthcare, while offering active voluntary euthanasia.
Medicinal cannabis has also been legalised and its recreational use has been decriminalised.
5. Croatia
Number five on the list was Croatia, clocking a health freedom score of 7.51.
The country allows passive euthanasia, universal healthcare, has legalised medicinal cannabis, decriminalised recreational use, and has no restrictions on abortions.
It also offers the greatest amount of paid maternity leave at 58 weeks, the second highest amount was 28 weeks, provided by the Czech Republic.
6. South Africa
South Africa was given a health freedom score of 7.33.
The country allows passive euthanasia, and has no restrictions on abortion.
Medicinal and recreational cannabis has been legalised and the country offers access to universal healthcare.
7. Netherlands
The Netherlands follows closely behind South Africa, with a health freedom score of 7.31.
While it offers universal healthcare, active voluntary euthanasia and has no restrictions on abortion, it only provides 16 weeks of paid maternity leave – whereas South Africa gives 17.
Medicinal cannabis is legal and recreational use is decriminalised.
8. Australia
In eighth place among the countries with the greatest health freedoms, is Australia, with a health freedom score of 7.06.
Australia performed well across the board with legalised recreational cannabis in the Australian Capital Territory and decriminalised cannabis in the Northern Territory and South Australia.
What’s more, Australia allows active voluntary euthanasia, with individual states and territories allowed to determine many of their own laws.
It also has no restrictions on abortions, provides access to universal healthcare and has 18 weeks paid maternity leave.
9. Austria
Austria was given a health freedom score of 6.97.
It allows passive euthanasia, and has no restriction on abortions.
Medicinal cannabis is legal, and recreational use has been decriminalised.
The country provides universal healthcare.
10. Czech Republic
The Czech Republic came in number ten with a health freedom score of 6.96.
The country has universal heathcare, no restrictions on abortion and offers passive euthanasia.
It has also legalised medicinal cannabis and decriminalised its recreational use.
