Socioeconomics
Housing, food access, transportation, employment & finances
What We Ask About
6 topics
- Finances
Definition
Your household income and overall financial stability.
Why it matters for a long, healthy life
Lower income is one of the most consistent predictors of shorter life expectancy in the U.S., largely through its effects on housing, food, and access to care.
The research
An analysis of 1.4 billion tax records found the richest 1% of American men live about 15 years longer than the poorest 1%.
- Housing
Definition
Whether you have safe, stable housing you can count on from month to month.
Why it matters for a long, healthy life
Housing instability makes every other part of health harder to manage: from storing medication safely to keeping follow-up appointments to simply getting enough sleep.
The research
A study of neighborhood disadvantage found that living in a more deprived area was independently associated with poorer health and a shorter life expectancy, even after accounting for individual income and health status.
Source: Gaskin et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019
- Education
Definition
The highest level of schooling you've completed.
Why it matters for a long, healthy life
More years of education are strongly linked to longer life, partly through better-paying jobs, healthier environments, and more health knowledge along the way.
The research
A national study following U.S. adults found that people with less education faced a higher risk of premature loss of life from a wider range of preventable causes, including heart disease and unintentional injury, than those with more schooling.
- Employment
Definition
Whether you're currently employed, and how stable that work is.
Why it matters for a long, healthy life
Losing a job affects more than income: unemployment is independently linked to poorer health and a shorter life expectancy, partly through stress and loss of health insurance.
The research
A population-based cohort study found unemployed adults had poorer health and a significantly shorter life expectancy compared with those who were employed.
Source: Nie et al., Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2020
- Food Access
Definition
How easily you can get affordable, healthy food where you live.
Why it matters for a long, healthy life
Food insecurity doesn't just mean going hungry. It's linked to a meaningfully shorter life expectancy, even after accounting for income.
The research
A national study found food-insecure adults had poorer health and a measurably shorter life expectancy.
- Transportation
Definition
Whether you have reliable transportation to get to medical appointments, work, or the grocery store.
Why it matters for a long, healthy life
Limited transportation can cut people off from care, community, and the people who support them. Missed appointments and delayed treatment add up, and growing isolation makes it harder to stay connected to the resources that protect health and well-being.
The research
A national study of more than 440,000 U.S. adults found that people who delayed care because they lacked transportation were more likely to end up in the emergency department, and had about a 30% to 36% higher risk of premature death, with the greatest burden among adults living with chronic health conditions.
Why We Ask
A fulfilling life begins with having the foundation you need to thrive. When you have stability, safety, and access to basic needs, you have more freedom to focus on what matters most, your goals, relationships, future, and personal growth. These conditions can give you the opportunity to not just get by, but to grow and reach your potential.
Understanding Your Score
Your Care Team Support
This team can connect you to housing, food, transportation, and financial resources in the community. Ask your county resource specialist to get started.
TYPES OF PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY HELP