People who earn more than 2 million won (US$1,700) each month expect to live 1.48 times longer than those who earn less. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jul. 23 (Korea Bizwire) — A person’s outlook on his or her own life expectancy is gloomier for those who are married or low income earners.
A research team from Seoul National University Hospital revealed on Monday the results of a survey of 1,005 participants conducted between August and September 2016.
The team collected data on age, income, marital status, and other demographic factors as well as physical, mental, and social health conditions to see how they impact a person’s outlook on their own life expectancy.
The results showed that people who earn more than 2 million won (US$1,700) each month expect to live 1.48 times longer than those who earn less.
People who are single also expected to live 1.42 times longer than those who were married.
A person’s outlook on his or her own life expectancy was also influenced by how much he or she was healthy in social terms, like how well he or she managed relationships or accomplished tasks.
Comparing five groups with different levels of social health showed that the group that said they were ‘socially healthy’ expected to live 1.39 times longer than those who did not.
“Those in the low income tier or married persons saw themselves as having a lower life expectancy,” said Prof. Yoon Young-ho, a joint head of the research team.
“We need social institutions and support mechanisms to help low income earners and married persons.”
The results were published in the latest edition of Asian Nursing Research.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
