The Rich Are living longer

The gap in life expectancy between the rich and poor is widening, strangely resembling the growing income gap between rich and poor. Government researchers say the life expectancy for the nation as whole as increased, but affluent people have experienced greater gains, and this, in turn, has caused a widening gap.

One of the researchers, Gopal K. Singh, a demographer at The Department of Health and Human Services stated that: “The growing inequalities in life expectancy has mirrored trends in infant mortality and in death from heart disease and certain cancers.” Despite various efforts by the federal government, the gaps have been steadily increasing, and show no signs of stopping. Life expectancy is the number of years remaining for people who have attained a given age. Life expectancy was higher for the most affluent in 1980 than for the most deprived group in 2000” says Singh.

Though researchers have not agreed on an explanation for this widening gap, they have suggested many reasons. Due to our technological advances in medical science, doctors can now detect and treat many forms of cancer and heart disease. Unfortunately, it seems only the affluent and better-educated people are more likely to take advantage of these discoveries. Lower-income people are more likely to live in unsafe areas, to engage in risky or unsafe behavior and to eat unhealthy foods. It is cheaper and more time-efficient for the average american working a full-time job to eat at fast-food restaurants instead of taking their time, and eating a healthy meal during a one-hour lunch break. Smoking has declined more rapidly among people with greater education and income. Lower-income people are also less likely to have health insurance, so they are less likely to receive checkups, screenings, diagnostic tests, prescription drugs, and other types of care.

Are people living shorter lives due to their financial situation?
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