Nisha Pandey

Study Finds The Wealthiest Americans Had Higher Mortality Than The Poorest Europeans

Being rich is usually linked with better chances at living longer as one may have access to the best healthcare services, healthier food, free time for exercise and wellness and more. But a large international study has found a striking exception. It observed that the wealthiest individuals in America had survival rates comparable to some of the poorest people in Northern and Western Europe. 

The study, published in the <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em>, analysed data from 73,838 adults aged 50 to 85 in the US and 16 European countries, following participants from 2010 to 2022. Researchers compared people according to their relative wealth within their own countries. 

The findings suggest that wealth improves survival in both regions, but <span>Americans</span> had higher mortality at every wealth level than their European counterparts.

<h2>About 80% Of Wealthiest Americans Survived</h2>

The researchers found that about 80% of the wealthiest Americans were still alive at the end of the study period. That was roughly comparable to the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/study-links-lower-protein-intake-to-healthy-ageing-expert-explains-who-should-shouldnt-cut-back-article-155312676" data-type="tilCustomLink">survival rate</a> among the poorest participants in Northern and Western Europe. Among the wealthiest Northern and Western <span>Europeans</span>, the survival rate was approximately 90%.

Lead author Irene Papanicolas, professor at Brown University School of Public Health, said, “We were surprised by that result.”

She said researchers might expect wealthy Americans to have access to high-quality healthcare, healthier food and safer environments, yet the data showed that their survival still lagged behind wealthy Europeans as well as the poorer populations .

<h2>Why Do Americans Have Higher Mortality Rate Than Europeans?</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/bryan-johnson-reveals-meibomian-gland-dysfunction-what-to-know-about-this-dry-eye-condition-article-155773839" data-type="tilCustomLink">Bryan Johnson Reveals Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: What To Know About This Dry Eye Condition</a>

The study does not find any one specific reason for the significant difference. However, researchers point to several possible contributors, including economic inequality, healthcare access, social safety nets, diet, smoking, <sub><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/donald-trump-gains-23-pounds-in-3-years-doctors-say-his-weight-gain-raises-certain-several-health-risks-article-155974160" data-type="tilCustomLink">physical activity</a></sub>, stress and environmental risks. Differences in social and economic conditions could also affect health even among healthier people.

Papanicolas said the findings highlight factors that can affect health across different wealth levels, including “economic inequality or risk factors like stress, diet or environmental hazards.”

Co-author Sara Machado, a research scientist at Brown’s Center for Health System Sustainability, said where someone stands within their country’s wealth distribution matters for longevity, but so does how that country compares with others. She also noted that improving health outcomes is “not just a challenge for the most vulnerable”, as even people in the highest wealth group can be affected.

<h2>The US-Europe Life Expectancy Gap Has Widened </h2>

The Longevity Formula Harvard Discovered After 30 Years #shorts #shortsfeeds

The findings come against a broader backdrop of declining <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/ageing-healthy-with-ayurveda-article-155234338" data-type="tilCustomLink">US life expectancy</a> compared with other wealthy nations. Researchers noted that the US and Western Europe had broadly similar life expectancy several decades ago, but the gap began widening around 1980 and kept going until it is now hard to ignore. 

The study therefore raises a bigger question about whether individual wealth alone can protect people from broader health risks within a society. 

The observational study cannot prove that living in the US itself causes higher mortality. The researchers identified possible explanations, but further research is needed to determine exactly why mortality remains higher among Americans across wealth groups.

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Being rich is usually linked with better chances at living longer as one may have access to the best healthcare services, healthier food, free time for exercise and wellness and more. But a large international study has found a striking exception. It observed that the wealthiest individuals in America had survival rates comparable to some of the poorest people in Northern and Western Europe. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, analysed data from 73,838 adults aged 50 to 85 in the US and 16 European countries, following participants from 2010 to 2022. Researchers compared people according to their relative wealth within their own countries. The findings suggest that wealth improves survival in both regions, but Americans had higher mortality at every wealth level than their European counterparts.About 80% Of Wealthiest Americans SurvivedThe researchers found that about 80% of the wealthiest Americans were still alive at the end of the study period. That was roughly comparable to the survival rate among the poorest participants in Northern and Western Europe. Among the wealthiest Northern and Western Europeans, the survival rate was approximately 90%.Lead author Irene Papanicolas, professor at Brown University School of Public Health, said, “We were surprised by that result.”She said researchers might expect wealthy Americans to have access to high-quality healthcare, healthier food and safer environments, yet the data showed that their survival still lagged behind wealthy Europeans as well as the poorer populations .Why Do Americans Have Higher Mortality Rate Than Europeans?Also read: Bryan Johnson Reveals Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: What To Know About This Dry Eye ConditionThe study does not find any one specific reason for the significant difference. However, researchers point to several possible contributors, including economic inequality, healthcare access, social safety nets, diet, smoking, physical activity, stress and environmental risks. Differences in social and economic conditions could also affect health even among healthier people.Papanicolas said the findings highlight factors that can affect health across different wealth levels, including “economic inequality or risk factors like stress, diet or environmental hazards.”Co-author Sara Machado, a research scientist at Brown’s Center for Health System Sustainability, said where someone stands within their country’s wealth distribution matters for longevity, but so does how that country compares with others. She also noted that improving health outcomes is “not just a challenge for the most vulnerable”, as even people in the highest wealth group can be affected.The US-Europe Life Expectancy Gap Has Widened             The findings come against a broader backdrop of declining US life expectancy compared with other wealthy nations. Researchers noted that the US and Western Europe had broadly similar life expectancy several decades ago, but the gap began widening around 1980 and kept going until it is now hard to ignore. The study therefore raises a bigger question about whether individual wealth alone can protect people from broader health risks within a society. The observational study cannot prove that living in the US itself causes higher mortality. The researchers identified possible explanations, but further research is needed to determine exactly why mortality remains higher among Americans across wealth groups.

study finds the wealthiest americans had higher mortality than the poorest europeans

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