The benefits of education extend beyond health, but beyond economic development as well. In fact, education is one of the most fundamental social determinants of health. Educated workers are better equipped to perform critical thinking and literacy tasks. Even though higher education is more costly, basic literacy programs can also bring economic benefits. The more educated a workforce is, the faster a country’s economy will grow. Consequently, many countries provide funding for education.
Education is a fundamental social determinant of health
While the benefits of education are obvious, many people mistakenly assume that they are a substitute for better socioeconomic status. In fact, a recent issue brief from the Center on Society and Health points out that the health benefits of education are even greater when socioeconomic status is accounted for. Despite these benefits, many rural communities continue to suffer due to inadequate health care.
Globally, schooling disruptions have caused disparities in food security, health, and stimulation. Resulting in poor nutrition, reduced social protection, and psychological services, millions of children face early marriage or child labor. Furthermore, global economic contraction has adverse consequences on family income and government budgets, which places a huge strain on public education spending. Despite these disadvantages, education is still one of the most important factors for achieving equality.
Education affects health
There is a growing body of research examining the relationship between education and health. The fact is that adults with lower educational attainment are generally in poorer health than their educated peers. These disparities can be reduced by understanding the impact of education on health. With this knowledge, governments can implement interventions to improve the health of future populations. The following are some of the health-related benefits of education.
While much learning occurs within a formal school environment, most learning occurs outside of the classroom. Children spend a relatively small percentage of their waking hours in school, approximately one thousand hours a year. Fortunately, informal learning is widely available to children and can affect their health and development in ways that traditional schooling cannot. The WHO paper identifies the importance of both formal and informal education for human health.
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Education affects life expectancy
While studies are mixed, one consistent finding is that education has a positive effect on life expectancy. People with less education tend to die earlier and report poorer health. They also tend to consume more medical care, fueling the rising costs of health care. Having a higher education is important for many reasons, including improved cognitive skills and the ability to handle daily tasks. This article explores why education is beneficial for a long life.
While life expectancy is increasing for most people, the disparity is staggering, especially among the poorest citizens. In 2016, for example, the life expectancy of people without a college degree was nearly a decade shorter than that of those with a high school degree or more. These findings suggest that education and jobs may play an important role in the life expectancy of U.S. adults. Further, the study found that high-stress jobs, such as construction and manufacturing, may also be associated with a lower life expectancy.
Education affects health outcomes through life spans
A growing body of research is exploring the impact of education on health. Education is associated with increased life expectancy and decreased risk of chronic disease, especially for adults with lower educational attainment. Understanding these connections between education and health can help to reduce disparities and improve populations in the future. The following sections summarize some of the research on this topic. These findings are not limited to a specific country or region, but instead are broad in scope.
The majority of studies that examine the relationship between education and mortality categorize educational attainment by milestones. The percentage of individuals reaching different educational thresholds changes over time, resulting in a shift in mortality rates and health-related characteristics. The impact of education on mortality is not only a matter of studying changes in educational attainment, but also the changing distribution of income and education. In contrast to the aging population, the health-related characteristics of older adults are unchanged.
