Rich people live longer and have 9 more healthy years than poor people, according to new research (2024)

A new study found that rich people over 50 can expect to live 8 to 9 years more healthy years than the poorest people in their countries.
At age 50, wealthy men could expect to live 31 more healthy years than poor men, while wealthy women could expect to live 33 more healthy years than poor women.
This has implications for how government money might get spent on taking of older citizens.
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A new study analyzed 10 years of data from 25,000 people over the age of 50 in the United States and England, two countries with severe socioeconomic disparities between their rich and poor.

The research, published in the Journal of Gerontology, suggested that, for both countries, wealth wasn't just an advantage when it came to living longer: it was also a predictor of how many healthy years a person can expect to enjoy.

The study classified healthy as whether the person was living free of health conditions that would stop them from getting out of bed or taking care of themselves.

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At age 50, wealthy men could expect to live 31 more healthy years, which was roughly nine years more than poor men would live, while wealthy women could expect to live 33 more healthy years, which was also nine more years than poor women would live.

Study author Paola Zaninotto told the New York Times $980,000 was the average wealth of the most wealthy group of Americans, adding that the secret to this nine year longevity was likely "having access to funds when you have ill health."

Since 1800, when humans could expect to live until age 40, life expectancy has doubled, though previous research has found that women still live longer than men. The average lifespan of a man is 76 years, while the average lifespan of a woman is 81 years, according to the CDC.

But while life expectancy is a good indicator of health, quality of life is perhaps more significant. People are living longer than their great-grandparents, but they're not necessarily living better. For poorer people in America and England, the last years of life might be spent being chronically ill or disabled.

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The new study also reflected previous research showing that health inequalities decrease with age, as age can act as a common leveler. The older both groups of people got, the more the disability disparities disappeared.

One limitation of the study is that participants in studies like these tend to be healthier than the general population, meaning the disparities might actually be worse than portrayed.

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As an expert in public health and socioeconomic disparities, I find the recent study on the correlation between wealth and healthy aging particularly intriguing. Drawing on my extensive knowledge in the field, I can confidently provide insights into various concepts mentioned in the article.

The study, published in the Journal of Gerontology, delves into a comprehensive analysis of 10 years of data from 25,000 individuals aged 50 and above in the United States and England. These countries, known for their pronounced socioeconomic differences, serve as a valuable context for understanding the impact of wealth on health outcomes.

The primary focus of the study is on the association between wealth and the number of healthy years one can expect to live after the age of 50. The term "healthy years" refers to the duration a person can anticipate living free from health conditions that significantly impede daily activities, such as getting out of bed or taking care of oneself.

The study's findings reveal a stark contrast between wealthy and poor individuals, especially after the age of 50. At this age, affluent men can expect to live approximately 31 more healthy years, which is notably nine years more than their less affluent counterparts. Similarly, wealthy women could anticipate 33 more healthy years, also representing a nine-year difference compared to poor women.

One of the notable points made by the study author, Paola Zaninotto, is the potential link between wealth and extended healthy years. Zaninotto suggests that the access to financial resources during periods of ill health could be a contributing factor to the observed longevity. The average wealth of the most affluent group in the study is cited as $980,000, emphasizing the financial advantage associated with increased healthy aging.

The article touches upon the historical context of life expectancy, noting that since 1800, when life expectancy was around 40, it has doubled. However, it highlights a crucial distinction between life expectancy and the quality of life. While people are living longer, the study underscores the importance of considering the quality of those additional years. For individuals with lower socioeconomic status in America and England, the later years of life may be characterized by chronic illness or disability.

An interesting aspect mentioned in the article is the observation that health inequalities tend to decrease with age. As individuals grow older, age becomes a common leveler, leading to a reduction in disability disparities between wealth groups. However, the article acknowledges a limitation—participants in such studies are often healthier than the general population, suggesting that the actual disparities might be more pronounced than portrayed.

In conclusion, this study adds valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on socioeconomic inequalities and their impact on health outcomes, specifically focusing on the connection between wealth and healthy aging after the age of 50. The findings emphasize the need for a nuanced approach to public health policies, considering not only life expectancy but also the quality of life in older age, particularly for those with limited financial resources.