Do Rich People Live Longer?

First, the absence of worry. When you can look at your bank balance and know you can easily cover your bills and expenses without doing without something else. Second, when you can afford good health care coverage for you and your family. Many of us cannot. Even those of us who share the risk with an employer pay about 50% of the premium in addition to co-pays and sometimes large deductibles. Third, you can afford better, more nutritious food, instead of worrying about stretching a buck by feeding your family junk or a lot of cheap starch. And, better nutrition means less cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, obesity which adds to a longer, higher quality of life. Fourth, more money means more time for recreation to de-stress, to pursue hobbies and take vacations. Stress is a huge robber of peace of mind, health and vitality. A week to a month of rest, cruising, or romping around on a beach beats intermittent periods of unemployment with no money coming in, and no ability to leave town even for a long weekend. Fifth, having money lets you slide nicely into retirement, without having to worry about working into your seventies and eighties because a large chunk of your retirement fund was stolen by Wall Street banksters. Its fine if you choose to work, but to have to work just to sustain life will certainly take a huge toll on your health and longevity. Sixth, people with money tend to be better educated. Better educated people tend to drink and smoke less, and are less likely to mood-alter with addictive drugs, thus leading to a healthier lifestyle and longer life expectancy. Seventh, wealthy people are generally exposed to less risk. They live in a better section of town and are far less likely to be victims of crime, have traffic accidents or be involved in an encounter with police.

DailyObserver of PA 9:06AM February 16, 2012