Is there a link between education and health?

Education and health are two important factors that contribute to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. While they may seem unrelated factors at first glance, there is a strong link between education and health. Generally, people with more education tend to have better health outcomes.

Why is that?

Education empowers individuals to make more informed decisions about their health. When people are educated about the risks and benefits of different health behaviours, they are more likely to make healthy choices.

• According to the World Health Organization, individuals with higher levels of education are less likely to experience cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer[1].

• A study conducted in the United States found that people with higher levels of education were more likely to engage in healthy behaviours, such as exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet[2].

• Research has also shown that higher levels of education are associated with lower rates of smoking and substance abuse. For example, a study conducted in the United Kingdom found that people with a university degree were significantly less likely to smoke than those with no formal qualifications[3]. When people are educated about the dangers of smoking, they are more likely to avoid tobacco use, which can greatly reduce their risk of lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases; significantly improving the overall health of a population.

• Additionally, higher levels of education are associated with lower rates of obesity. A study conducted in the United States found that people with a bachelor's degree or higher were less likely to be obese compared to those with a high school diploma or less[4].

• The relationship between education and health is not limited to individuals; it also extends to communities. Studies have shown that communities with higher levels of education tend to have better overall health outcomes. For example, a study conducted in Canada found that communities with higher levels of education had lower rates of premature mortality and chronic disease[5].

In addition to empowering individuals to make healthy choices, education can also lead to greater economic and social resources that in turn facilitate good health. People with higher levels of education are often more likely to have access to healthcare, afford healthy food options, and enjoy safe living environments. These resources can all contribute to better health outcomes.

Education also has a significant positive impact on levels of Health literacy, with higher levels of education frequently associated with higher levels of health literacy[6].

Health literacy is the ability to understand and use health-related information and services to make informed decisions about one's health.

Education plays a significant role in health literacy because it provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and interpret health-related information. For example, those who have received a higher level of education may be more likely to understand medical terminology and instructions, and they may be better equipped to navigate the healthcare system and advocate for their own health. This can enable them to make better informed decisions about their health and seek out the care they need.

On the other hand, individuals with lower levels of education may have limited health literacy, which can make it difficult for them to understand and manage their health. They may be more reliant on others to interpret and explain health information, and they may be less likely to seek out necessary healthcare services.

When it comes to digital health equity, there is also is a link between education and the use of digital health technologies. In general, people with higher levels of education tend to be more comfortable using technology and are more likely to use digital tools to improve their health and access services.

One study conducted in the United States found that people with a college degree or higher were more likely to use digital health technologies[7], such as wearable fitness trackers and mobile health apps, compared to those with a high school diploma or less. Similarly, a study conducted in Europe found that people with higher levels of education were more likely to use electronic health records and other digital health technologies.

People with higher levels of education may be more likely to have access to the necessary hardware and software, and they may be more comfortable navigating and using new technologies. In addition, education can provide people with the skills and knowledge needed to understand and interpret health-related information, which can make it easier to use digital health tools. Education can therefore play a role in the adoption and use of digital health technologies. Increasing education and access to technology may help to promote the use of digital health tools and improve health outcomes.

What strategies have been shown to improve health education?

1. School-based health programs: Health education starts at school. Many schools have implemented programs that aim to promote healthy behaviours and improve the overall health of students. These programs can include things like physical education classes, health education lessons, and access to healthcare services on school grounds. By providing students with the knowledge and resources they need to make healthy choices across their life course, these programs can help to improve health outcomes.

2. Health education campaigns: Governments and health organisations often launch public health campaigns to educate people about important health topics and encourage healthy behaviours. By increasing awareness about health issues, these campaigns can help people to make more informed decisions about their health.

3. Community health worker programs: Community health worker programs often target underserved populations, such as low-income or immigrant communities, and provide targeted education and resources to help people improve their health. Health workers may provide information about healthy behaviours, offer support for managing chronic conditions, or help people to access healthcare services. These programs can be effective in improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities in these communities.

4. Health literacy initiatives: There are also many initiatives aimed specifically at improving health literacy. These programs may provide education and training to help people understand and use health-related information, or they may provide resources, such as plain language materials or health navigators, to help people access and understand health information. By increasing health literacy, these initiatives can help people to make better informed decisions about their health.

Overall, the link between education and health is clear. Investing in education can have a ripple effect on the health of individuals and communities, leading to better health outcomes and a higher quality of life.

[1] https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/324619/Health-2020-Education-and-health-through-the-life-course-en.pdf [2] Sogari, G., Velez-Argumedo, C., Gómez, M. and Mora, C. (2018). College Students and Eating Habits: A Study Using An Ecological Model for Healthy Behavior. Nutrients, [online] 10(12), p.1823. doi:10.3390/nu10121823. [3] Song, F., Elwell-Sutton, T., Naughton, F. and Gentry, S. (2020). Future smoking prevalence by socioeconomic status in England: a computational modelling study. Tobacco Control, [online] 30(4), pp.380–385. [4] Cohen, A.K., Rehkopf, D.H., Deardorff, J. and Abrams, B. (2013). Education and obesity at age 40 among American adults. Social Science & Medicine, [online] 78, pp.34–41. [5]Shahidi, F.V., Parnia, A. and Siddiqi, A. (2020). Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in premature and avoidable mortality in Canada, 1991–2016. Canadian Medical Association Journal, [online] 192(39), pp.E1114–E1128. [6]Public Health England (2015). Local action on health inequalities. [online] Public Health England. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/460710/4b_Health_Literacy-Briefing.pdf.‌ [7]Pathiravasan, C.H., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., Trinquart, L., Benjamin, E.J., Borrelli, B., McManus, D.D., Kheterpal, V., Lin, H., Spartano, N.L., Schramm, E., Liu, C. and Murabito, J.M. (2022). Factors associated with long-term use of digital devices in the electronic Framingham Heart Study. npj Digital Medicine. ‌