In a groundbreaking meta-analysis spanning 603 studies worldwide, researchers have discovered a direct correlation between years of education and mortality risk reduction. The findings, published this week in The Lancet Public Health, suggest that not having any education is equivalent to the health risks posed by excessive alcohol consumption or smoking 10 cigarettes annually for a decade.
Dr. Terje Andreas Eikemo, co-author and head of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)’s Centre for Global Health Inequalities Research, emphasized the importance of education, stating, “Education is important in its own right, not just for its benefits on health, but now being able to quantify the magnitude of this benefit is a significant development.”
The study revealed that completing primary school is associated with an average 13% lower risk of death. Meanwhile, individuals with 12 years of education (completion of secondary school) experienced a 25% reduction in mortality risk compared to those without formal education. Notably, those with 18 years of education enjoyed a substantial 34% reduction in mortality risk.
“These findings are similar to the protective effects of a good diet and physical activity and the harms of risk factors such as smoking and alcohol,” the authors noted.
Claire Henson, co-first author and researcher at the University of Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), stressed the importance of closing the education gap to address mortality disparities. “Closing the education gap means closing the mortality gap, and we need to interrupt the cycle of poverty and preventable deaths with the help of international commitment,” she stated.
The study also highlighted the role of education in “closing the mortality gap,” emphasizing the need for global investment in areas promoting educational opportunities. While education is compulsory in European Union countries, the study urged more research in regions with limited access to schooling.
The researchers received funding for the study from the Research Council of Norway and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The authors concluded that increasing global schooling years could help counteract growing disparities in mortality, underscoring the significance of international efforts to prioritize education for improved public health.
