Intelligent People Have Higher Life Expectancy and Lower Risk of Diseases, Study Shows
A groundbreaking long-term study of 65,765 children has found that intelligent people have a higher life expectancy and a significantly lower risk of a range of diseases. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh analyzed data from children born in Scotland in 1936 who took a standardized intelligence test at the age of 11. The 45-minute test measured both verbal and nonverbal cognitive abilities. The data was analyzed when the participants reached the age of 79 or had already passed away. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, confirms previous hypotheses that there is a direct correlation between intelligence and mortality.
The study found that a higher IQ is linked to a healthier lifestyle, including better nutrition, less smoking, more exercise, and better health information. The IQ also influences career choices, which can affect life expectancy. The study shows that a 15% better IQ test result reduces the risk of stroke, respiratory disease, or heart disease by 24-28%. The risk of fatal injuries, gastrointestinal disease, and Alzheimer’s disease is reduced by 16-19% with a 15% better IQ test result. The study also found that the risk of stomach and lung cancer is lower in more intelligent people.
The researchers believe that the higher life expectancy of intelligent people may have genetic causes, but this theory has not been proven. The study confirms that a positive attitude and a higher retirement age can increase life expectancy, but it is the first to show that intelligence is also a significant factor. The study’s findings could have implications for public health policies and education systems.
