This isn’t news, but money can be a major source of stress and anxiety.
And while it’s true that money problems can cause people a lot of stress, did you know that financial instability can also lead to health problems?
Here’s an alarming statistic: Negative wealth shocks (losing 75% of your wealth or more) increase mortality risk over 20 years by 50%.¹
The impact of money stress grows more pronounced with age. A Yale study tracked older people recovering from heart attacks. They discovered that heart attack survivors with financial problems were 60% more likely to die within 6 months of leaving the hospital.²
Researchers don’t yet understand the causal relationship between finances and mortality, but here are a few educated guesses…
Losing money is stressful. And long-term stress can cause premature death.³
Losing money reduces access to medical care. Quality care slips out of financial reach. Even little things like transportation to appointments can become unaffordable.
Losing money can cause a low-quality diet. A combination of stress and living in low-income areas can make low value food far more convenient and appealing.
The takeaway? Money problems have a big potential to take a toll on your health. That’s why financial stability should be a top priority for everyone. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, don’t despair. There are steps you can take to get your finances in order. And when you do, you could be on your way to better health, too!