A recent study caught the attention of Dr. Silverman and our team. The study, published in the National Bureau of Economic Research, sought to learn more about the causal relationship between money and health. For the study, researchers separated participants into two groups:
- 1,000 low income adults received $1,000 per month for three years;
- 2,000 control participants received $50 per month for three years.
Researchers wanted to see how access to additional income impacted healthcare decisions, especially in low-income adults.
Money And Healthcare
Researchers noted some interesting findings at the conclusion of the study. First, they noticed large but short-lived improvements in stress and food security within the low-income group, and increased medical spending of about $20 compared to the control group. They also believe that more people in the low-income group sought out dental care as a result of having extra income.
However, researchers found no significant effects on physical health as determined through patient surveys and biomarker blood testing. Researchers also found that improvements in mental health faded after the first year, and they found no statistically relevant differences in self-reported behaviors like physical activity, sleep quality or access to health care. In other words, a short-term influx in cash really didn’t help make the group any healthier.
Dr. Silverman Weighs In
This is a massively important study, as it showcases that money doesn’t buy happiness nor health. It also highlights the idea that Medicare for all is unlikely to improve health outcomes, and it will not make everyone equally healthy.
Really, what this study showcases is that it’s not about the money, it’s about the food we consume. It’s not about food security, but rather food quality.
Overall, the United States has bad food quality. Ingredient lists have expanded to increase shelf life and to create a quasi-addiction with the consumer. We should instead be turning our attention to how Japan and countries in Europe are handling their healthcare and food systems. We don’t need trillions of dollars spent on healthcare in order to make the average American healthier. Instead, we need to realign the priorities of “Big Agriculture” and food manufacturers. We need to create incentives for long-term customers, not overly large customers.
The consumer has the most say in what they put in their body, but Big Ag and lawmakers can help this process along and make it easier for Americans to have access to high quality health foods in their neighborhoods.