The impact of education level on life expectancy

Abstract

Introduction. Studying the link between education and life expectancy is relevant for developing effective socio-economic and medical strategies aimed at improving public health, which are influenced by social factors. Education contributes to increased prosperity and longer life expectancy, as it fosters critical thinking skills and promotes more informed decision-making regarding health and lifestyle.
The materials and methods: The research involved a review of literary sources; statistical, comparative, and analytical methods were used; data on the impact of education level on the health and life expectancy of patients from the Research Institute – Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 named after Professor S.V. Ochapovsky, Krasnodar, were collected via a questionnaire survey conducted from April 1 to April 15, 2025.
The results. The study has proved that the level of education affects the prevalence of certain diseases. In particular, individuals with secondary education face cardiovascular and gastrointestinal pathologies more often than their peers with higher education. Among all respondents, diseases of the cardiovascular system (52.76%) are the most common, followed by diseases of the musculoskeletal system (12.33%), diabetes mellitus (11.83%), and gastrointestinal organs (10.06%). It is important to note that respondents with secondary education seek preventive medical check-ups less often than those with higher or specialized secondary education.
Discussion and conclusion. The analysis of the obtained data has revealed a direct link between the level of education and life expectancy. A higher educational status promotes a better understanding of health issues, more active use of medical resources, and the formation of a healthy lifestyle, which collectively leads to an increase in average life expectancy.