Key Findings
School Attendance: The study, involving participants from the U.K., showed that 7% attended private high schools, less than 4% attended grammar schools (selective but fee-free), and 89% went to state-funded schools. Additionally, 7% attended higher-status universities, including top institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.
Health Outcomes: Those who attended private high schools exhibited better cardiometabolic and cognitive outcomes compared to state-funded school attendees. Evidence also suggests that private school students had lower BMIs and better blood pressures. No significant health differences were found between private and grammar school attendees, except for BMI, where private school attendance was linked to lower BMI.
University Attendance: Attending a higher-status university correlated with lower BMI and better cognitive performance compared to “normal-status” university attendees. Not having a degree was associated with poorer health outcomes, though better grip strength and balance were noted.
Researchers suggest that greater physical activity in private high schools and higher disposable income among graduates of higher-status schools contribute to these health benefits.
Study Details
The study analyzed over 8,500 participants aged 46 to 48, all part of the 1970 British Cohort Study. These individuals were followed from birth and were interviewed about their mid-life health between 2016 and 2018. Previous research on the same cohort indicated that private high school and high-status university attendees had lower BMIs and better self-reported health scores.
Broader Context
Similar patterns are observed in the U.S., where attendance at selective colleges is linked to slightly higher cognitive performance in later life. A 2020 study found that adolescents attending well-resourced U.S. schools with smaller student-to-teacher ratios and higher-paid teachers had better cognitive skills between ages 65 and 72.
Economic status, social position, and access to well-funded schools are significant factors contributing to these health outcomes. Higher education often leads to better-paying jobs with fewer safety hazards, further promoting health benefits.
Global Perspective
Higher education levels correlate with better health outcomes worldwide. A January study in the Lancet found that each additional year of education reduces the risk of premature death by an average of 2%.
Surprising Insights
Education level is also linked to specific health conditions. Individuals with only middle or elementary school education face a 52% higher risk of dying from coronary heart disease compared to those with graduate degrees. Diabetes risk decreases with higher education levels, with 13.1% of U.S. adults with less than a high school education having diabetes, compared to 6.9% of those with education beyond high school. A study by the American Cancer Society found that Black and white individuals with 12 or fewer years of education have a 60% to 180% higher cancer mortality rate than those with 16 or more years of education.
