A new study by Northwestern University researchers sheds light on one of the most important factors in longevity: financial stability. The results of a multi-year analysis revealed that people who have accumulated significant wealth by middle age have a much lower risk of early death.
The study involved 5,400 adults with an average age of 46.7 years, as well as 2,400 of their relatives, including twins. Over a 24-year period, researchers tracked mortality rates and compared them with the participants' financial assets. It turned out that those who accumulated more wealth lived longer, regardless of family or genetic influences.
Interestingly, similar results were observed even among siblings. This suggests that the link between wealth and longevity cannot be explained solely by heredity or family background. Financial well-being can influence health through access to quality medicine, healthy nutrition, and opportunities for physical activity.
Financial stability is not just about comfort, but also about the chances of living longer, and it could be the key to implementing social changes aimed at supporting people with lower incomes, the researchers say.
The results of this study may provide an impetus for new reforms in the field of social policy, as awareness of the role of money in health can influence the state's approach to supporting citizens. After all, the pursuit of financial well-being is not only about material benefits, but also about maintaining health and vitality.
