How long you live might depend more on where you live than how wealthy you are—even if you're among America's richest. New research from Brown University reveals surprising insights into why Americans at every economic level have shorter lifespans compared to Europeans. What hidden factors make even the wealthiest Americans less healthy than their counterparts overseas, and what lessons can the U.S. learn from Europe's healthier approach?
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The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed survival data from over 73,000 adults aged between 50 and 85 from the U.S. and various European regions over a ten-year span. The researchers confirmed that wealth generally equates to a longer life.
However, the investigation revealed a striking disparity: even America's wealthiest individuals do not achieve lifespans as long as similarly affluent Europeans. Remarkably, wealthy Americans' life expectancies are comparable to Europe's poorest citizens, specifically in nations like Germany, France, and the Netherlands.
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Surprising Survival Gaps Across Continents
Professor Irene Papanicolas from Brown University’s School of Public Health points out several key societal and environmental issues contributing to America's lower life expectancy. These include stark economic inequality, unhealthy dietary habits, higher levels of chronic stress, and greater exposure to environmental health hazards compared to Europe.
“These underlying societal conditions mean that having wealth in America doesn't fully guarantee good health or longevity,” explains Papanicolas. “The health outcomes of even the richest Americans remain compromised due to deeper structural problems in American society.”
Comparing America and Europe: Where Does the U.S. Fall Short?
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The data reveal striking mortality differences when comparing American populations to their European peers. Within the U.S., the wealthiest citizens have mortality rates about 40% lower than the poorest. Yet, even affluent Americans fare significantly worse compared to Europeans. People living in Continental Europe, for instance, experience approximately 40% lower mortality rates compared to Americans. Southern Europeans enjoy roughly 30% lower mortality, and even Eastern Europeans have notably better survival rates than their American counterparts.
Sara Machado, one of the study's researchers, emphasizes, “While being wealthy in America still correlates to better survival than being poor, when you compare across borders, Americans face substantial disadvantages regardless of their financial status.”
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Hidden Causes Behind the U.S.-Europe Life Expectancy Gap
The research team identified critical, often overlooked factors contributing to shorter lifespans in America. Weak social safety nets, less healthy dietary habits, higher smoking rates, and specific health risks tied to rural or disadvantaged communities play significant roles.
Additionally, the researchers note an important phenomenon called the “survivor effect.” In America, poorer individuals often die younger, creating a false appearance of reduced wealth inequality in older age brackets.
“There's an urgent need for comprehensive policies beyond mere healthcare system improvements,” stresses Papanicolas. “To bridge the health gap, American policymakers must address the systemic issues in society that limit health outcomes at every level of income.”
Looking at Europe, where strong social supports, stricter environmental health standards, and successful preventive care programs prevail, America might gain valuable lessons. Machado concludes, “If we can understand and implement effective strategies from Europe—such as proactive health promotion and stronger public welfare systems—we can significantly enhance American lifespans at every socioeconomic level.”
If you are interested in more details about the underlying study, check out the paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine, listed below.
Sources, further reading and related articles:
Association between Wealth and Mortality in the United States and Europe - (New England Journal of Medicine)
Global Lifespans Increase as Men Narrow the Gap with Women - (Universal-Sci)
Why do women live longer than men? - (Universal-Sci)
How Much Walking Do You Need Per Day to Live Longer? - (Universal-Sci)
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