The Education Gap: A Widening Chasm in Health and Mortality
A longitudinal analysis of U.S. adults from 1996 to 2023 reveals a persistent and troubling disparity. The study compared health outcomes between those with and without a bachelor’s degree, finding that individuals without a degree consistently experience higher rates of “health care–amenable mortality”—deaths that could potentially be prevented with timely and effective medical care. This gap in mortality, linked to differences in healthcare utilization patterns, underscores a systemic inequality that has endured for nearly three decades.
Why it might matter to you:
This research directly quantifies a key social determinant of health, providing concrete evidence for the link between educational attainment and preventable mortality. For professionals focused on chronic disease and prevention, it highlights a critical target population and reinforces the need for interventions that address access and equity beyond clinical settings. The findings can inform the design of public health strategies aimed at mitigating these deep-seated disparities.
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