Half a Century of Economic Shifts in the U.S. Linked to Worsening Health and Shorter Lifespans for Less-Educated Americans

Over the past fifty years, significant economic transformations in the United States have profoundly impacted the health outcomes of its residents, particularly those with lower levels of education. New research indicates that economic decline and macroeconomic restructuring have contributed to increased stress, chronic illnesses, and reduced life expectancy among this group.

A comprehensive study published in the journal Epidemiology and led by Professor Arline Geronimus from the University of Michigan analyzed community-level data from 1990 to 2017. It found that residents in economically stagnant areas faced heightened stress, more chronic health conditions, and lived approximately 1 to 2 years less on average compared to counterparts in wealthier regions. These disparities have widened over time, highlighting the long-term health toll of economic hardships.

Geronimus' team emphasized that structural economic changes—such as job losses, globalization, and technological advancements—have disproportionately affected less-educated workers. The inability to secure stable employment has led these individuals to adopt high-effort coping strategies, like working multiple low-paying jobs, which over time contribute to wear and tear on their bodies, increasing susceptibility to serious diseases like cardiovascular issues and cancer.

Interestingly, the study revealed that increases in deaths from suicide or substance abuse are not the primary factors behind the life expectancy gap. Instead, higher mortality rates from cancer, heart, and metabolic diseases, linked to chronic stress and social exclusion, are the main drivers. Despite the focus often placed on the opioid crisis, Geronimus notes that the epidemic results from broader social and economic factors, including marketing practices, overprescription, and the rise of synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Geronimus advocates for societal and policy changes aimed at reducing health disparities. She stresses that improving health outcomes for less-educated workers requires addressing structural economic inequalities, rather than solely focusing on individual health behaviors. This approach could help close the gap in life expectancy and overall health quality.

This research underscores the importance of understanding the social and economic roots of health disparities and highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to promote health equity across all socioeconomic groups.

For more detailed information, see the original study: Long-term Economic Distress and Growing Educational Inequity in Life Expectancy.