Every year spent in education reduces an adult's risk of death by 2%, according to the first systematic review to directly link schooling to longevity. The study, published in The Lancet Public Health, found that completing primary, secondary and tertiary education lowers mortality risk by 34% compared with no formal education, equivalent to a lifetime of healthy eating.
Not attending school at all is as harmful as smoking 10 cigarettes a day for a decade or consuming five or more alcoholic drinks daily. The analysis, covering industrialised nations such as the UK and US and developing countries including China and Brazil, adds urgency to efforts in England to keep children in school.
Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Washington calculated that each year of full-time education cuts adult mortality risk by 2%. The benefits were consistent across rich and poor countries, and regardless of sex, social class or demography.
Professor Neil Davies of University College London, who was not involved in the research, called it “an impressive piece of work” but cautioned that past associations may change due to UK higher education expansion and declining smoking rates. He warned that rising school absences could have major consequences beyond health, particularly for disadvantaged students.
David Finch of the Health Foundation noted that the UK has a life expectancy gap of 9.4 years for men and 7.7 years for women between the least and most deprived areas. He said education improves longevity through higher earnings, better social connections, and empowering people to make informed choices.
