Across the United States, Poor Education Linked to Poor Health

Across the country and in every state, adults with less education are more likely to be in less than very good health than college graduates, and adults in every state fall far short of the level of good health that should be achievable for all Americans.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America’s “Reaching America’s Health Potential Among Adults: A State-by-State Look at Adult Health” report finds that:
• Almost half of all adults ages 25 to 74 in the United States report being in less than very good health, and that rate differs depending on level of education. 
• Adults who have not graduated from high school are more than 2.5 times as likely to be in less than very good health as college graduates.
• Those who have graduated from high school but not gone to college are nearly twice as likely to be in less than very good health as college graduates.
Alice M. Rivlin, co-chair of the Commission, observes that:   “Access to affordable, high-quality medical care is essential but that alone will not improve the health of all Americans.  What this report tells us is that education has a tremendous impact on how long and how well we live. Policymakers need to focus on schools and education, as well as promoting healthier homes, communities and workplaces, to improve the health of our nation.”