Life is worth living only if accompanied by good health – an existence wracked with illnesses and injuries only weakens the quality of life. It follows naturally that a healthy person will live a long life, as long as accidents do not end up shortening it abruptly. Now a recent study from Harvard Medical School and Harvard University has found that life expectancy and education share a relationship that’s directly proportional – simply put, the more erudite you are, the longer you tend to live. This research adds credence to the study conducted by the London University’s Institute of Education six years ago that that educated people are blessed with better physical and mental health. So what’s the positive correlation between education and health?
- Those with access to education facilities also have better access to information about diseases, both old and new, and advances in medical technologies and new methods of treatment.
- Educated people tend to be well-off and can afford healthcare of the highest quality.
- People who are well-educated are more aware of the dangers of smoking and abusing alcohol and illegal drugs, which means that they will abstain sooner or later.
- A healthy diet and nourishing food can help prevent diseases and illnesses that weaken health.
- Educated individuals realize the value of exercise and physical activity in contributing to good health and longevity.
- Education contributes significantly to improving self-worth and decreasing depression and depressive tendencies.
- Educated people are normally prone to live in politically stable environs that have less air and water pollution.
- Educated people are more aware of the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
- They are more aware of life-threatening diseases like cancer and have the financial means to get themselves screened periodically and stem the disease in the early stages when it is curable.
- Educated people are more willing to listen to doctors and follow instructions that help to lead a healthy life than people who have had no schooling of any kind.
- Education and health are links in a cycle that loop continuously by feeding on and sustaining each other – healthy people are able to study better and achieve better results, and more education leads to higher awareness that in turn promotes good health.
Perhaps we would all do well to follow that old adage “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.”
This article is contributed by Heather Johnson, a freelance writer as well as a regular commentator on the topic of free college degrees. Heather invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at heatherjohnson2323 at gmail dot com.
