For Americans who live in communities where prospects for economic advancement are scant, life is not only bleak — it’s shorter too. New research has found that people who live in counties with more opportunities to improve their lot in life can expect to live longer than those who live in counties where it’s virtually impossible to get ahead. The “longevity gap” between rich and poor Americans is already well known. The new analysis of U.S. counties links greater social mobility to a smaller longevity gap, as well as a lack of social mobility to a bigger life expectancy gap. Further research should clarify the link between social mobility and lifespan, Venkataramani said.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 24, 2020 18:11 UTC