http://www.cbc.ca/story/science/national/2005/05/09/Poverty050509.html

Poverty affects health more than smoking, study suggests
Last Updated Mon, 09 May 2005 20:41:16 EDT
CBC News
REGINA - Poverty erodes a person's health more than smoking, drinking or
lack of exercise, a Statistics Canada study suggests.

Education and income were more important for middle-aged health than acting
healthy, said the study, released on Monday.

  "Among middle-aged adults aged 45 to 64, socio-economic characteristics
such as the education level and household income were more important
determinants of healthy aging than healthy behaviours," it said.

The eight-year study of middle-aged adults found that only after the age of
65 does healthy living impact health more than financial well-being.

Some older people are simply too poor to live a healthy life, said Wally
Coates, a board member of a Saskatchewan seniors group.

"A lot of them are eating cheaper foods," Coates said. "They're not
necessarily getting a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables. Because
that all adds up to more money, eh? It's just not a lot of money, if you
have to live in the neighbourhood of 12,000 a year."

The Statscan researchers warned, however, that it's too early to determine
the consequences of unhealthy living for the middle-aged segment of the
study, which is continuing.

And it suggested that people benefit in the long term by healthy living.

As in previous studies, the government research also suggests that moderate
drinking could protect against illness.

Norm O'Rourke, a gerontology professor at Simon Fraser University in
Vancouver, objected to the finding. He called it "crude."

"Moderate alcohol consumption is very strongly tied to socio-economic
status," O'Rourke said. "If you're sitting down each night for a dinner
with a glass of wine, the likelihood is that you don't have Wendy's
take-a-way."

He said the study didn't pay nearly enough attention to the crucial role of
attitude, noting a person's outlook on life is very important as they get
older.

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