AFP reports via Yahoo News a recently published study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows the rich live longer than the poor. Seriously, would you expect any other outcome?
Stanford researcher Raj Chetty, using IRS data, finds that the top 1% live 10-14 years longer than the bottom 1%. The value of his research is quantifying the size of the gap and demonstrating it is growing.
I hope no one is shocked a gap exists. If riches cannot buy a healthier, longer life, what good are they? If being the poorest of our poor doesn't either create or result from depression and unhealthy behaviors, what would?
My reaction to this research is like my reaction to the finding smarter people live longer: it would only be earth-shaking news if the reverse were true. It is likely opioid abuse leading to heroin addiction among the poor contributes to today's gap. It seems every generation of poor has its version of soma, earlier versions included weed, crack, meth and ethanol in various guises.
