Study Reveals Social Factors Impacting Lifespan by Up to 18 Years

A study by the University of Southern Denmark found that four social factors -- gender, marital status, education, and race -- can influence risk of early death by up to 18 years. The research established a scoring system to identify at-risk individuals, showing significant lifespan differences among various social groups.

According to a study by the University of Southern Denmark, four social factors—gender, marital status, education, and race—can impact the risk of early death by up to 18 years. This research, based on U.S. citizens' data, has devised a lifespan scoring system.

The researchers found that no single factor was more influential than the others. However, the combination of these factors significantly contributes to an individual's lifespan. The study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open, analyzed registered deaths and population data from 2015 to 2019.

Results indicated stark differences in life expectancy among various social groups. For instance, white never-married men with only a high school diploma had the shortest life expectancy, while white married women with a university degree had the longest. The findings emphasize the complex interplay of social factors in determining lifespan.

(With inputs from agencies.)