Richer = healthier?

[braumeister]

We E-R denizens come in every conceivable flavor in terms of nearly any dimension you care to mention. But one common thread I've noticed (aside from LBYM) is that we mostly tend to take a real interest in our health.

Interesting piece from Bloomberg:
More Proof That the Richer You Are, the Healthier You'll Be - Bloomberg Business

It shouldn't surprise anyone that poverty is often associated with poor health. Less obvious: Health and income improve together all the way up the economic pyramid. The wealthiest have fewer illnesses than the upper-middle class, who are in better shape than the lower-middle class, and so on.

Although this article only talks in terms of income, not spending capability as we retired folks consider it, the point is probably valid for most people.

 

[Philliefan33]

I'm surprised that good health continues to track with increased income even above "upper middle class".

It's not hard to understand why poor people are less healthy in general than those who are well off. Healthy food costs more than junk. Many low-income families live in urban food deserts where fruits and vegetables are hard to find, but the fast-food joints are on every corner. Plus, when parents are working multiple jobs to try to keep the family afloat, no one has the energy to shop for / prepare healthy meals.

 

[Walt34]

We E-R denizens come in every conceivable flavor in terms of nearly any dimension you care to mention. But one common thread I've noticed (aside from LBYM) is that we mostly tend to take a real interest in our health.

That isn't terribly surprising. Money buys options, like availability of health care, being in a position to take the time to attend to health issues (like having sick leave), and easier access to prescription drugs when needed.

People in low-income positions often have to choose between filling a prescription and paying the rent/mortgage. If taking time off work to have a vague symptom checked out means taking a heavy hit on the paycheck, they'll skip the doctor's visit until it becomes clear they need to see a doctor. That may complicate treatment or simply be too late to do much to treat an advanced condition.

 

[M Paquette]

Even at the middle class bracket, a person might have difficulty with things like sticking to specialized diets or following an exercise regimen. It's much easier when one has a personal chef and trainer on staff. Similarly, the sort of checkup one gets at, say, Kaiser might meet all the usual recommendations, but the annual checkup for a key executive or similar highly compensated position is a whole other world. (Google "executive physical")


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[calmloki]

Lotta different levels. I've been burning through medicare and insurance company bucks at a great rate and am well pleased with my care - and aware that there are levels of (Dick "cyborg" Chaney) care way above mine and deplorable levels below.

 

[2017ish]

Nice to see the acknowledgement that the causal link is intertwined:

How health and money are related is complex. For both rich and poor, the two attributes likely reinforce one another. "Health and income affect each other in both directions: not only does higher income facilitate better health, but poor health and disabilities can make it harder for someone to succeed in school or to secure and retain a high-paying job," the Urban authors write.

 

[Letj]

This finding is only relevant in the United States. Those findings do not related to other developed economies since the disparity in income and well-being does not exist on the scale it exists in this country. In every other wealthy economy, the majority of the population is solidly middle class with the exception of some newly arrived immigrants or refugees. In poorer countries the rich tend to have poorer health outcomes because they gorge themselves on food that the poor cannot afford (a good example here is India).


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[samclem]

Sometimes (not always), economic prosperity results from making good choices. And delaying gratification for a more important later goal. Those attributes are also consistent with maintaining good health. Example: smoking is associated with low income and poor health. I'd guess that these underlying personality traits are more important than wealth>>good health or good health >>wealth.

 

[haha]

We E-R denizens come in every conceivable flavor in terms of nearly any dimension you care to mention. But one common thread I've noticed (aside from LBYM) is that we mostly tend to take a real interest in our health.

Interesting piece from Bloomberg:
More Proof That the Richer You Are, the Healthier You'll Be - Bloomberg Business



Although this article only talks in terms of income, not spending capability as we retired folks consider it, the point is probably valid for most people.

Only true up to a maximum of $880k. Anything more and you don't need that much health.

Ha

 

[2017ish]

This finding is only relevant in the United States. Those findings do not related to other developed economies since the disparity in income and well-being does not exist on the scale it exists in this country. In every other wealthy economy, the majority of the population is solidly middle class with the exception of some newly arrived immigrants or refugees. In poorer countries the rich tend to have poorer health outcomes because they gorge themselves on food that the poor cannot afford (a good example here is India).

I doubt this is true--although the impact may be more or less in various rich countries (however defined/selected). For example, recent story on England: A 25 year gap between the life expectancy of rich and poor Londoners is a further indictment of our unequal society - Comment - Voices - The Independent

 

[photoguy]

The top income bracket in the article starts at only 100k (per family). I think this is still solidly middle class and I would hesitate to conclude anything about the "wealthy" vs "upper-middle classs" on this basis.

 

[Letj]

I doubt this is true--although the impact may be more or less in various rich countries (however defined/selected). For example, recent story on England: A 25 year gap between the life expectancy of rich and poor Londoners is a further indictment of our unequal society - Comment - Voices - The Independent

You are correct. There's quite a bit of income disparity in the UK. In that respect it's similar to the U.S. but not on the same scale.


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[haha]

You are correct. There's quite a bit of income disparity in the UK. In that respect it's similar to the U.S. but not on the same scale.


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The original researchers, in the UK, stated that everyone studies had access to and used NHS.

These investigators, in a strange burst of candor, interpreted this finding as an example of the very general finding that is known to almost all realists- it is really class that is being talked about, not income per se. I would like to see the excess longevity of those with English public school accents over all others.

Ranking in dominance hierarchies is basic, to all cultures, in all times. Do you think Putin is likely to enjoy better health than the guy who busses his dinner dishes?

 

[NW-Bound]

Do you think Putin is likely to enjoy better health than the guy who busses his dinner dishes?

Yes. Putin's servant may have to sample his food for check for poison. It's a high-risk job.

 

[harley]

I'm surprised that good health continues to track with increased income even above "upper middle class".

It's not hard to understand why poor people are less healthy in general than those who are well off. Healthy food costs more than junk. Many low-income families live in urban food deserts where fruits and vegetables are hard to find, but the fast-food joints are on every corner. Plus, when parents are working multiple jobs to try to keep the family afloat, no one has the energy to shop for / prepare healthy meals.

I'll buy the fast food is cheaper argument, and maybe the no time to prepare healthy food (nope, never mind, I don't), but the urban food desert thing is totally bogus. I've never been in a major city where you can't find a decent grocery store, even if you have to hop on a bus to do it. It's not like Escape from New York where they've got a fence and land mines to keep people in. People move throughout their cities, and although the rich people might not go into the poor areas too often poor people go into the middle class areas all the time. Usually they work there. Heck, I have to go 5 miles or so to get to the nearest grocery store. I must live in a rural food desert! Oh noes!

 

[NW-Bound]

The top income bracket in the article starts at only 100k (per family). I think this is still solidly middle class and I would hesitate to conclude anything about the "wealthy" vs "upper-middle classs" on this basis.

+1

Even at the middle class bracket, a person might have difficulty with things like sticking to specialized diets or following an exercise regimen. It's much easier when one has a personal chef and trainer on staff...

Well, the stats in the article only go up to 100K income. We never have a chef, nor trainer. We do not even have people come to clean our home.

 

[M Paquette]

Well, the stats in the article only go up to 100K income. We never have a chef, nor trainer. We do not even have people come to clean our home.

My word! I simply don't know how you could get by in such a state!

;-)






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[Philliefan33]

I'll buy the fast food is cheaper argument, and maybe the no time to prepare healthy food (nope, never mind, I don't), but the urban food desert thing is totally bogus. I've never been in a major city where you can't find a decent grocery store, even if you have to hop on a bus to do it. It's not like Escape from New York where they've got a fence and land mines to keep people in. People move throughout their cities, and although the rich people might not go into the poor areas too often poor people go into the middle class areas all the time. Usually they work there. Heck, I have to go 5 miles or so to get to the nearest grocery store. I must live in a rural food desert! Oh noes!

Try hopping on a bus, maybe having to transfer to another, and then cart the groceries home. How many bags will you be able to cart or carry? Oh, and you have to bring the two kids because you can't afford to pay a babysitter every time you go to the grocery store.

I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just acknowledging that it is harder for some urban who can't hop in the minivan and drive to the grocery store.

 

[M Paquette]

Try hopping on a bus, maybe having to transfer to another, and then cart the groceries home. How many bags will you be able to cart or carry? Oh, and you have to bring the two kids because you can't afford to pay a babysitter every time you go to the grocery store.

I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm just acknowledging that it is harder for some urban who can't hop in the minivan and drive to the grocery store.

We live in a suburban food desert. I've been trying to convince my wife to relocate to no avail, as she's very sentimental and attached to this pile of wallboard and 2x4s. I dread the day when I'm no longer able to drive, and we have to use the twice-a-day bus (or hope the town cabbie is sober) to run our errands.

Being found dead from starvation and desiccated, probably when the HOA notices the yard is unkempt, is not how I prefer to go.


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[Ronstar]

Article makes sense to me. I've noticed that the wealthy shoppers at Whole Foods look healthier than the less wealthy shoppers at Walmart. The wealthy shoppers generally buy healthier foods. And they exercise more IMO. And they generally have access to better health care.


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[bclover]

I'll buy the fast food is cheaper argument, and maybe the no time to prepare healthy food (nope, never mind, I don't), but the urban food desert thing is totally bogus. I've never been in a major city where you can't find a decent grocery store, even if you have to hop on a bus to do it. It's not like Escape from New York where they've got a fence and land mines to keep people in. People move throughout their cities, and although the rich people might not go into the poor areas too often poor people go into the middle class areas all the time. Usually they work there. Heck, I have to go 5 miles or so to get to the nearest grocery store. I must live in a rural food desert! Oh noes!

I guess you've never been to camden nj. there is no grocery store here period. and sorry "hopping" on a bus as you call it is NOT that easy. first of all its not free and its not like nyc where buses and trains run every 10 mind. In Philly where I live the nearest grocery store that is not a upscale grocer (whole foods or Wegmans) is over 5 miles And would take 2 buses to get to. so ok, I get on 2 buses exactly how much food am I carrying?? So now I bring a kid along to possibly help?? whoa, extra bus fare

And yes it can be like escape from NY if you've got to skip over a major highway.

You eat better when healthy food is accessible, 45 minutes to get to a grocery store is not what I call accessible

 

[ERhoosier]

Sometimes (not always), economic prosperity results from making good choices. And delaying gratification for a more important later goal. Those attributes are also consistent with maintaining good health. Example: smoking is associated with low income and poor health. I'd guess that these underlying personality traits are more important than wealth>>good health or good health >>wealth.

And the converse is also true. Poor choices may lead to poorer health (and less wealth). It's not just smoking/heavy drinking/drugs, but also simple things like taking prescribed medicines for chronic illness. Even amongst those with access to basically free care (Medicaid in US), many studies show those who are "noncompliant" with their treatments tend to have poorer health. Money is only part of the issue. Many examples of once rich folks engaging in very self-destructive behaviors that eventually made them sick and poor.

 

[photoguy]

USDA has a mapping tool to highlight food deserts:

USDA ERS - Go to the Atlas

I found it interesting to put in cities where I've lived. I was surprised by Los Angeles that much less of the city is a food desert (Low Income + Low Access at 1 mile) than I would have thought. But I'm not really sure if the definition is good.

 

[NW-Bound]

My word! I simply don't know how you could get by in such a state!

I don't know how I managed either. That's it! I am doomed. I have always thought that my life expectancy is not going to be as long as many posters here who plan to live into the 90s, if not past 100. Now I know why. I have no personal trainer, no chef and always cook for myself, and even have to clean my own toilet.

I am toastally doomed! Is there a way I can pamper myself now to remedy the situation? Or is the process irreversible, and it's too late?

 

[PhrugalPhan]

USDA has a mapping tool to highlight food deserts:

USDA ERS - Go to the Atlas

I found it interesting to put in cities where I've lived. I was surprised by Los Angeles that much less of the city is a food desert (Low Income + Low Access at 1 mile) than I would have thought. But I'm not really sure if the definition is good.

I feel the definition is bad too. Plus, I checked locally to me and it showed a large swath of LI +LA at 1 mile near me. Yet literally across the street from this stretch of LI/LA is a major Hispanic "supermercado". And on the other side less than a mile away from this store is an Aldi's. There is no way that should be labeled as a food desert. I'm sure there are other locations like that as well.