The one social factor that has been consistently linked to longer life, regardless of country, is education. It is far more important a factor than even health insurance.
A few extra years of school is associated with extra years of life, as well as vastly improved health during old age.
Not only have studies consistently shown this connection, but there is no limit beyond which more years of school stop adding to a person's life span. There are several theories as to why this may be the case, including a better ability to plan for the future.
In this interesting New York Times article, three economists noted the correlation between education and health and gave some interesting advice: If you want to improve health, you will get more return by investing in education than by investing in medical care.
My guess is that this cannot be forced or compulsory education, and is more likely not related to the absolute knowledge gained as much as it is to the burning curiosity and desire to learn. I interpret this data to support the contention that becoming a lifelong student will not only make you a more interesting person, it will also allow you to live longer!
Other variables -- such as smoking, a vital network of friends, or powerful jobs with greater flexibility -- certainly count in the equation, but none are more important than education.
In fact, a Princeton University professor found a patient's life expectancy at age 35 could be lengthened by as much as 18 months, merely by going to school for one extra year, leading to more studies that have altered laws on compulsory education in various European countries.
Not only are more educated people better equipped to make life-saving health choices such as quitting smoking or modifying their diets, but an active mind will help ward off memory problems, neurological ailments, and other problems traditionally associated with old age.
On Vital Votes, reader Mary from Cabool, Missouri observes:
"Learning requires brain power, which requires good nutrition. Take up something you have been interested in for a long time, but have not had time to get into, it would definitely be interesting."
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