A new study has revealed an unexpected finding: poor Europeans are outliving the wealthiest Americans. The research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that wealthy Americans live as long as the poorest individuals in northern and western Europe. Even more striking is the fact that in some cases, poor Europeans, particularly from countries like France and the Netherlands, live longer than wealthy Americans.
The Research and Its Findings
The study, which tracked nearly 74,000 participants from the US and Europe, provides a clear picture of how wealth and life expectancy intersect. The research focused on adults aged 50 to 85 and followed them from 2010 to 2022. The researchers split Europe into three regions: northern and western Europe (including countries like Austria, Sweden, and France), southern Europe (including Italy, Spain, and Portugal), and eastern Europe (including Poland and Hungary). The study’s findings are nothing short of shocking.
In the United States, the average death rate during the study period was 6.5 deaths per 1,000 people. In contrast, northern and western Europe had a much lower death rate of 2.9 deaths per 1,000. Southern Europe’s rate stood at 4.9, and eastern Europe at 5.8 deaths per 1,000 people. The disparities are significant, with the US having higher mortality rates compared to almost every region in Europe.
Wealth and Health in the US vs. Europe
The research also reveals that wealth in the US does not guarantee longer life. While wealth and health are typically connected, the study highlights a major difference between the US and Europe. Even the wealthiest Americans fared worse than their European counterparts. In fact, people from southern Europe who were wealthy lived longer than the wealthiest Americans.
Even more concerning is that poor Americans, regardless of region, had worse survival rates compared to their European counterparts. In northern and western Europe, everyone—whether rich or poor—had a higher survival rate than the wealthiest Americans. The disparity was especially noticeable when comparing poor Americans to the poorest in Europe.
Systemic Issues in the US
Irene Papanicolas, a Brown University economist, explained that systemic issues in the US are to blame for these disparities. These problems reduce life expectancy for all Americans, regardless of income. In the US, wealth does not always equate to better healthcare or healthier lifestyles. Papanicolas noted that the US is marked by extreme income inequality, which further complicates access to proper healthcare and social support systems.
In contrast, many European countries have strong social safety nets and universal healthcare systems that benefit people across all income groups. This is particularly true in northern and western Europe, where the welfare system helps improve outcomes for everyone, even those with lower incomes. Professor Martin McKee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine noted that these social safety nets play a crucial role in improving public health outcomes, particularly when compared to the fragmented healthcare system in the US.
The Role of Welfare Systems
The researchers emphasized that welfare systems in Europe provide essential support that directly impacts health outcomes. People in northern and western Europe benefit from universal healthcare and generous social safety nets, which help reduce health inequalities across different social classes. Professor McKee pointed out that these systems have proven to be effective in providing healthcare access to all citizens, regardless of their wealth or status.
In contrast, the US’s healthcare system leaves many without adequate access to care, especially those in lower-income brackets. This inequality plays a significant role in the differences in life expectancy between the two regions.
Factors Influencing Life Expectancy
The study considered a variety of factors, such as gender, relationship status, education, location, smoking habits, and chronic illness. This allowed the researchers to isolate the effect of wealth on life expectancy. However, they did not account for racial or ethnic factors, which could also influence health outcomes. Researchers also used four broad wealth categories, which may have overlooked more extreme disparities within the wealthiest groups.
McKee suggested that the wealthiest 1-2% in the US may have vastly different health outcomes compared to those in the top 25%, meaning the study may not fully capture the true scale of inequality in the US. Despite this, the findings clearly point to systemic issues in the US that are contributing to poorer health outcomes for many Americans.
What Can the US Learn from Europe?
While the study did not offer specific policy recommendations, it highlighted the success of European healthcare models in improving life expectancy across all income groups. Researchers encouraged the US to learn from these models and consider adopting elements of universal healthcare and social safety nets. By addressing the systemic issues in healthcare and income inequality, the US could significantly improve public health and reduce disparities in life expectancy.
Sara Machado, another Brown University researcher, concluded that better outcomes in Europe show that improving social welfare and healthcare systems can lead to longer and healthier lives for all citizens, not just the wealthy. The US could benefit greatly from applying these lessons to its own healthcare system.
A Call for Change
The study’s findings are a wake-up call for the US. While wealth has long been linked to better health outcomes, the research shows that in the US, this is not always the case. Poor Europeans outlive rich Americans, thanks to stronger social support systems and better healthcare access. For the US to improve its life expectancy rates, it must address the systemic issues that prevent equitable access to healthcare and create a more inclusive welfare system.
As the study highlights, the US has a lot to learn from Europe. With the right changes, the US could ensure that people, regardless of their wealth, live longer and healthier lives.