Health v Wealth

Health v Wealth
It's a common assumption that if you're middle-class and wealthy you are healthier than your working-class counterparts.
New research, however, suggests that stressful jobs and having the funds to overindulge mean middle-class Brits are actually shortening their lifespan.So, can the vital statistics of your bank account really help you live longer?
New research from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital suggests being working class could add the equivalent of an extra seven years to a person’s age compared with someone higher up the social ladder. However, another recent survey has suggested that because middle-class people often have a more stressful occupation and can afford to indulge their expensive tastes they may actually be knocking years off their life. So, we asked ourselves, can money be used to lengthen our stay on this earth?Your mind and body don’t ask for much to stay in shape – nutritious food to maintain good health, enough exercise to regulate weight, safe, hygienic housing and social integration for emotional growth. In 1999 studies by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found the minimum cost to achieve this for a single young working man was £131.86 per week.
While this might not sound like an excessive price to pay for a professional, it is if you work for the minimum wage or survive on jobseeker’s allowance. Both of these fell short of the minimum funds required for healthy living. This year the study was repeated on older people and again, the cost of healthy living per week (£122.70, excluding rent, mortgage payments and council tax) was not covered by the state pension. “Eating well is more expensive and the main barrier to nutritious food is access,” says Jacqui Lowdon, a dietician from the British Dietetics Association. “If you don’t have a car or good public transport on-hand then it is difficult to get to and from a supermarket where you can bulk buy for less. Buying fruit and veg from the corner shop is often more expensive and not as fresh either,” she says.This dichotomy is echoed by Tarani Chandola, a senior lecturer in the department of epidemiology and public health at University College London. “It’s not just about money, but the time it takes to source and prepare a nutritious meal. If you don’t have enough time then it’s easy to understand why processed foods are popular, even though they may not be as healthy.”
Every penny countsLikewise, a lack of time and convenience play their part when our fitness needs a push in the right direction. Running and walking outdoors are the obvious budget keep-fit alternatives to a pricey gym membership. But for many people in disadvantaged areas a lack of local open space and safety issues stand in the way of a cheap fitness fix.Poor housing and lifestyle stress also take their toll and add to the vicious circle of personal healthcare suggests Lowdon. “Bad health makes you even poorer,” she says. “If you are too unwell to work then your income will decrease. With failing health and less money to look after yourself and your environment, health can only worsen.”Patchy medical access is another blow to the health of the nation, says Chandola. “It is ironic that the people most in need of healthcare have the least access to it,” he says. “GP practices and healthcare services are more concentrated in wealthy areas. Even where there is a GP in a deprived catchment, they are usually so over-subscribed that they have much less time to spend with each patient.”But this doesn't mean the well off can get complacent. A clean bill of health really depends on wise spending as well. “Obesity used to be isolated to the lower end of the social scale but research now shows that it now spans all social groups,” says Lowdon. “Why? Because you can afford the little luxuries in life – good food and alcohol which are calorific. People also tend to dine out more and eat larger portions than if they were cooking at home.”The spend, spend, spend habits of the well-off aren't only isolated to fine dining. “If you take out a gym membership on a budget then you are more likely to use it because money’s tight and every penny counts. Whereas, people with lots of money might be less careful and take out that gym membership, but never use it because money means less,” Lowdon suggests.
Money talks, knowledge walksReducing Britain’s health inequities is no mean feat, but the government has pledged to reduce the gap by 10% by 2010. Money talks, but knowledge is even more valuable to our health. “The best way out of poor health is through education – especially of young mothers who can learn and pass on the good habits for a healthy life to their children,” says Lowdon. Government campaigns such as Small Change, Big Difference suggest minor changes to diet and exercise which can buy extra years of life. And last year health trainers were rolled out in 12 of Britain’s most disadvantaged areas to help people improve their health and prevent diseases such as cancer and coronary heart disease.“Many people have difficulty in changing to a healthier way of life,” says public health minister, Caroline Flint. “There is support for people but it may be available at the wrong time of day or only accessible to people who speak and read English well. Health trainers are designed to address these problems,” she says.“Health trainers support the community and provide the locals with information to help them develop personal health plans and carry them out.” adds Flint. “This might include giving a pregnant woman information about her local ‘stop smoking’ services. Or, it could involve accompanying a woman to a breast screening appointment. Equally, health trainers identify barriers to individuals making healthier choices and find solutions to get over them.”Health is our wealth and these days a long life shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg for anyone. “There are lots of positive changes people can make to help themselves, but in reality they are confined by their life’s circumstances,” says Chandola. “It doesn’t just take money to live a longer life, but it helps.” Search ,For more on weight-loss , For more on giving up smoking
To find a gym near you , For more on eating properly
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3808623.stm