Are Wealthy People Healthier?
Research shows that socioeconomic status has a profound influence on health. Obviously, good genes and good habits, such as eating right and exercising, matter. But according to research, other factors that influence a person’s health are her income, job title, education, address and race. So, even if you don’t smoke, but you live in a shady neighborhood with lots of fast food and no supermarkets, that would adversely affect your health.
An overview of some of the factors that make rich people healthier:
Race
In the United States, health disparities, defined as gaps in the quality of health and health care across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, are well documented in minority populations such as African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Latinos. When compared to whites, these minority groups have higher incidence of chronic diseases, higher mortality, and poorer health outcomes.
Health insurance
Wealthy people’s health concerns match those of the general population. The biggest worry cited by those with over $1 million in assets: accidents, followed by cancer and heart disease. But the rich can afford good health insurance and preventative care. In many cases, money means longevity.
Obesity
New research at the University of Washington showed a correlation between financial power and obesity level: those inhabiting chic neighborhoods with high property values are less prone to obesity than those living in under-privileged zones.
Financial Stress
Stress is a condition that results when an individual perceives a discrepancy, whether real or not, between the demands of a situation and her own resources. There is a strong link between stress and health. In a review of the scientific literature on the relationship between stress and four well-known diseases, the authors found that stress plays a role in triggering or worsening depression and cardiovascular disease and in speeding the progression of HIV/AIDS, and commented that additional studies across a broader range of cancers are needed before fairly evaluating the role of stress in cancer.
If you have little control over your work life; if you are constantly worried about money, housing and safety; and if, on top of it all, you live with the lifelong stress of racial discrimination, your health will suffer.
Obviously, rich people stress too. But it is often not the overwhelming, all-consuming stress of people with less money. Stressing over losing money in the stock market is very different than stressing over the possibility of foreclosure or not being able to buy groceries or pay the bills.
The phenomenon of health inequality is not new. But with a looming recession, researchers worry that the health of our nation as a whole will suffer.
Photo by wai.ti
Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe by RSS or email and you’ll always know when I publish a new post.
Find out what I’m doing right now: follow me on Twitter.
Filed under Finance —
Email This Post,
Subscribe To Comments, Trackback,
Jill responds:
Posted: March 26th, 2008 at 10:29 am →
Great. So rich people are happier *and* healthier. Sigh.
David T responds:
Posted: July 16th, 2008 at 8:18 am →
This is a no brainer. Wealthy people can spend money on more expensive fruits and veggies, whereas lower income people settle for cheaper starchy, greasy foods and dollar menus. Wealthy people can afford gym memberships and new bikes, whereas lower income people can’t. Wealthy people can spend money in pursuit of hobbies and various forms of entertainment, whereas lower income people often find it cheaper to eat out. Wealthy people have more of a secure future, whereas lower income people often have stress about their financial situation and engage in stress eating.
This applies in other areas of life too. Lower income people may not feel like they can spare the money for a doctor visit co-pay, only to end up in the ER with a more serious condition. Lower income people put off car repairs, and then have a complete breakdown, or put off transmission fluid changes and then burn out their transmission. I could go on but you get the point.