The study highlighted today from the Journal of Gerontology by Dr. Paola Zaninotto (et. al.) from the University College London claims to be the first to look at how socioeconomic factors relate to longevity and the quality of later life in both the U.K and the U.S. It seems the researchers set off to prove one point, failed to do so, but uncovered another one in the process. That’s science for you.
Studies have shown that less economically fortunate Brits enjoy better health than wealthier Americans. So, the researchers set out to see if this advantage persisted into later life in terms of quality of age and mortality (assuming, perhaps, that it would). Surprise! It doesn’t.
Below you see the key figure from the report. The table at the top is for men and shows ‘disability-free’ time left at certain cut-off ages assuming you make it there disability-free. So, for example, if you make it to age 50 and are in good shape then you should enjoy another 30-plus quality years; BUT only if you’re minted. If at that age you’re not a well-to-do-er future prospects are significantly less rosy.
The surprise here is that despite very different healthcare systems the results for the U.S.and the U.K. are very similar. The bottom line, in each case unequivocally the same, rich people live better and longer lives. It’s good to be rich; in so many, many ways it seems.
You can access the paper in fill via the following link Rich People Live Better and Longer.
Happy Sunday.