How does education affect health?

People’s health status and life expectancy increase in tandem with their levels of education. For example:

Women with higher levels of education are more likely to have normal birth weight babies. Women with lower levels of eduacation have a greater risk for premature birth, low birth weight babies and stillbirth.

Low educational levels are also associated with an increased likelihood of high blood pressure and poor blood sugar regulation.

Canadians who did not complete high school are almost twice as likely to report fair or poor health, and are 1.5 times more likely to be obese than post-secondary graduates.

Dementia (losing mental abilities) seems to be higher among older people with less schooling.

Why this link between "schooling" and health?

Education makes it easier for people to access information and resources to make decisions about their health.

Education also contributes to health in a number of other ways. For example, people with higher education are more likely to be able to find well-paying "good" jobs. This increases their chances for stable incomes, job security and job satisfaction. Education also provides people with the knowledge and skills they need to solve problems and to cope with change. This gives them a sense of control over their circumstances, which in turn contributes to better health.

References:

1. Zhong-Chen Luo, Russell Wilkins, Michael S. Kramer, “Effect of neighbourhood income and maternal education on birth outcomes: A population-based study,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, May 2006; 174:1415-1420; doi: 10.1503/cmaj.051096. http://www.cmaj.ca
2. Nancy Adler et al., Reaching for a Healthier Life: Facts on Socioeconomic Status and Health in the US. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Socioeconomic Status and Health, 2007. http://www.macses.ucsf.edu
3. Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1, as reported in Arlene S. Bierman, Measuring Health Inequalities among Canadian Women: Developing a Basket of Indicators,University of Toronto, 2003.
4. Michael Tjepkema, “Measured Obesity, Adult Obesity in Canada: Measured Height and Weight.” Nutrition: Findings from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Issue No. 1, Statistics Canada, 2005. http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/82-620-MIE/2005001/articles/adults/aobesity.htm
5. Alzheimer Society, Alzheimer's Disease and Risk Factors http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/disease/causes-riskfac.htm
6. What Determines Health? Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ph-sp/determinants/index-eng.php