How Education Level Impacts Mortality

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In the last 15 years, U.S. mortality rates have leveled off or worsened, according to a new report from the National Institutes of Health.

One of the lesser-known reasons for this trend is educational level.

“Notably, research has found that mortality is [better] among people with a higher level of education,” according to NIH.

Let’s dig deeper into this research and what it means for our communities.

What Research Found on Educational Levels     

The NIH cites a recent study, published in JAMA Health Forum and led by Boston University School of Public Health. The study examined U.S. mortality rates by educational attainment before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau, results showed that there were 525,505 excess deaths in total in 2023.

Among those without a bachelor’s degree, there were more than 480,000 excess deaths, (26% higher than anticipated) and about 44,000 excess deaths (8% higher than anticipated) among those with a bachelor’s degree.

But how does a lower level of education contribute to this?

“Education fundamentally structures people’s work opportunities, and having less of it sets people up for a lot of downstream consequences that make it difficult to maintain good health.” said research study lead, Dr. Andrew Stokes.

Further, home and work environments in rural areas can contribute to lack of access to healthy foods, nutrition, and physical activity. These are the things that make it difficult to eat well, sleep well, and exercise.

Causes for Mortality

COVID-19 was a leading cause of excess deaths between 2020 and 2023.

“But much of the increase in excess deaths was associated with increases in deaths from circulatory diseases and diabetes,” according to the research.

Circulatory system diseases can include conditions that impact the heart or blood vessels.

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) involving the circulatory (blood) system is the highest cause of death among Hispanics, as it is for the rest of the population of the United States. The incidence of certain forms of CVD is documented to be higher among Hispanics,” according to Stony Brook Medicine.

Similarly, diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the country, according to a Salud America! resource.

11.7% of Latino adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and are more likely to develop prediabetes and type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanics.

“Low socioeconomic status and health literacy, language barriers, patient-provider mismatch, as well as prominent cultural values, beliefs (e.g., fatalism), and attitudes toward diabetes and treatments also serve as powerful influences on adherence and outcomes in Hispanics,” according to previous research.

Latinos and Education

While education attainment continues to grow within the Latino population, only 21% of Latino adults have a bachelor’s degree or more education, compared to other populations.

Additionally, only 7% of Latinos aged 25 and older held a graduate degree.

“The United States is facing a crisis of deteriorating mortality that is largely falling on the shoulders of those with less education,” Stokes said.

Support for Community Health

As the research shows, education plays a part in your overall health.

How is the state of education in your community?

Find out by downloading a Salud America! Health Report Card for your town!

Enter your county name and get auto-generated local data with interactive maps and comparative gauges on several health indicators. This can help you visualize and explore local issues in education, housing, transportation, food, health, and more.

See how your county stacks up compared to the rest of your state and nation.

Then email the Report Card to local leaders to raise awareness, include the data in a presentation or grant proposal, or share it on social media to drive healthy change in your community!

Get your Health Report Card!