Researchers have found that people with a four-year college degree are likely to live longer than those without. Adults with a degree can live approximately three years more than those without one. Life expectancy in the US in 2021 was 76.1 years. Those in the UK are expected to live for 83 years. This figure changes depending on a person’s lifestyle, especially in adulthood. However, adults can increase the total years they live by obtaining a college degree. Longevity Live Paid Content.
Data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System
In 2019, group researchers examined data on over 2.2 million deaths recorded in 2010 from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System. They examined another 2.4 million records filed in 2017. They were keen to compare data based on race, sex, and education. The researchers found there was a life expectancy difference between white and black communities.
There was a difference based on sex and education level. Between 2010 and 2017, life expectancy among white and black adults increased as their level of education increased. Of all the race and sex groups examined, life expectancy decreased in people who didn’t have a four-year college degree.
People who enroll in college spend a lot of time studying in preparation for exams. They get many assignments and sometimes become overwhelmed and seek help from a dissertation writing service. These activities keep them busy throughout their time in college, and they have less time for harmful life activities.
Life expectancy increased by 2 to 3 years with a college degree
Records from data from 1990 to 2010 show life expectancy decreased in people without a college degree. When compared with people with a college degree, life expectancy increased by 2 to 3 years. The total yearly increase was more among whites with a degree compared to the black community. In the same period, white people without a degree lived fewer years.
The statistics were different among the black community. Those with the lowest education lived fewer years. However, life expectancy remained unchanged among black males with a college degree. Educated black women recorded higher life expectancy. Education helps them gain knowledge and skills in research, writing, and innovation.
If they cannot complete their assignments on time, they pay dissertation assistance to help redeem their time. It helps reduce stress and, thus, live longer. Between 2010 and 2017, black adults generally showed reduced life expectancy. The study was later published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Main causes of death regardless of education level
The researchers further studied the main causes of death among adults from the ages of 25 to 84 years, without considering their education level. The researchers published the main causes of death as follows:
- Blood circulatory diseases
- Tobacco use-related deaths
- Cancer
- Alcohol
- Narcotic drugs
- Diabetes
- Suicide
- Wrong use of firearms
Across all races and sex, the main reason people died before their expected life expectancy was cancer, circulatory diseases, and tobacco-related diseases. Those who died before their time due to abuse of alcohol and drugs, and suicide considerably increased among all sexes and races.
There was a significant increase in life expectancy based on educational differences among all sexes and races. Educated people are likely to make better choices and decisions in life, such as getting professional help from pro essay writers when they have a lot of academic work to handle.
Reasons for life expectancy differences based on education
The researchers were keen to find out why there was a significant difference in life expectancy between more-educated and less-educated adults.
- Activities in college: People who enroll for a four-year degree in college are engaged in various activities throughout their time in college. They attend lectures, study, exercise, and get involved in different sports and discussions. These activities exercise their mind and body, which helps them stay healthy.
- Knowledge: The researchers cite that knowledge empowers an individual to make the right decisions in life. They noted that those that were less educated were more likely to engage in a life of alcoholism, drugs, and smoking than those with higher education.
- Income: Individuals with higher education have more opportunities to earn more in life. They get higher-paying jobs or become entrepreneurs and earn more. More income means they can access the best health facilities, pay health insurance, live in good neighborhoods, and eat well. People without degrees get lower-paying jobs and thus cannot afford a better life, housing, food, and education.
- Lifestyle: The researchers noted that less educated people mostly have poor lifestyles due to stresses in life and lack. They are likely to become criminals, drug users, and smokers. This is different in well-educated people because they are likely to avoid such a poor lifestyle.
The takeaway
Research shows that people who manage to attain a 4-year college degree attain a higher life expectancy of 2 to 3 years. This is because they earn better and are more knowledgeable about the effects of bad lifestyles. People without a college degree live fewer years because of the choices they make in life. They earn less and cannot afford a good life.
Who is the author?
Dennis Lodge is an experienced freelance journalist, blogger, and copywriter known for his unique writing and research-based papers and articles in business, careers, and education niches.