Comment by asoneth

> I would understand if the phenomenon was largely limited to my family, call it genes then

Perhaps there are other shared variables besides genes? For one thing, blindness is associated with higher mortality [1]. And even within a country, life expectancy can vary dramatically by region, city, and even neighborhood. Or perhaps the people you know happen to be more likely to share certain occupations, mindsets, levels of physical activity, or diets?

Or maybe it's just coincidence.

[1] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-1...