There is a genetic problem in that geographic area. Life expectancy is lower and they have per capita alcohol consumption below countries with longer LE.
Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazahkstan, Ukraine are all clustered on the LE-by-country table of 108-119.
Not a wealth thing either. Mexico and Thailand both have lower per capita income but longer LEs.
Revealing, but not reveling, my ignorance here, but I thought the Caucuses was one of the regions with the longest lived people, at least individually. Can’t be far off geographically , is it?
Mexico and Thailand aren’t cold and dreary and both have better cuisine.