All-Cause Mortality Is Increased for Older Adults With Sudden Loss of Wealth, Study Finds

A study published in JAMA found that people with lower socioeconomic status have substantially poorer health outcomes, reports 2 Minute Medicine . For older American adults, a sudden loss of affluence can represent a significant permanent change in economic status. About 25 percent of older adults in the United States underwent a negative wealth shock, as defined by a loss of more than 75 percent of their net worth over two years. For those who experienced a wealth shock, all-cause mortality was greatly elevated, and loss of a primary residence with wealth shock exacerbated the increased mortality rate. Gender, ethnicity, and baseline net worth did not substantially influence the association of wealth shock and higher mortality. A clear association was observed between wealth shock towards the end of life and increased mortality, further implying that socioeconomic status greatly impacts health. It remains unknown if macroeconomic trends, such as the 2008 Great Recession, influenced the association between wealth shock and mortality. In addition, with the Affordable Care Act in place, it is uncertain if the mortality rate would be as highly raised with wealth shock, as greater systemic safeguards would be in place for these individuals.