What does higher income mean for your life expectancy?
In general, higher income equates to longer life expectancy. This is true across the board, regardless of age or race.
One reason is that as income increases, people are more likely to be able to afford better healthcare. They also have increased access to health services and can afford preventive care.
Additionally, wealthier people are generally healthier, due to factors such as having better access to healthy foods and having less stress, which can both negatively impact one’s health.
How much does income impact life expectancy?
Generally, each $10,000 increase in income equates to a 1-year increase in life expectancy. Thus, someone who makes $50,000 annually can expect to live about 6 years longer than someone who makes $30,000 annually.
However, someone who makes $100,000 annually can still expect to live about 3 years longer than someone who makes $50,000 annually. This shows that it’s not just about how much you make, but also how much you spend.
3 Strategies to increase your life expectancy
Invest in your health
Health care is the single biggest expense most people will ever face. Investing in preventive care, healthy living and the right long-term care if you need it can be one of the best ways to protect your finances and extend your life. -
Eat healthily
Eating healthy foods is a great way to lower your medical bills and increase your life expectancy.
Beans, legumes and nuts are particularly good for your health as they contain a lot of fiber, protein and minerals.
Get regular exercise
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to lower healthcare costs and boost your lifespan. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day can lead to reduced risk for many diseases and conditions.
Conclusion
Healthy living is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. But it’s also important to note that income alone does not determine how long you live.
- Genetics - People who inherit certain genes related to longevity may live longer regardless of how much they make.
- Behaviors - Behaviors such as smoking, drinking and eating an unhealthy diet can also negatively impact your life expectancy.
It’s important to note, however, that even if you do everything right and make the right choices, you can’t control the fact that some people are just genetically predisposed to living longer than others.
While there’s no concrete way to determine just how long you might live, there are several things you can do to increase your life expectancy and improve your health outlook. Investing in your health, eating healthy and getting regular exercise are three ways you can start today.