From the Guidelines
Socioeconomic status has a profound impact on quality of life, with higher status generally correlating with better outcomes due to increased access to resources like quality healthcare, education, and safe housing, as evident in the 2020 study by the American Heart Association 1. The relationship between socioeconomic status and quality of life is bidirectional, with poor health limiting earning potential and increasing expenses, creating a cycle that's difficult to escape. Key factors influencing this relationship include:
- Access to quality healthcare and preventive treatments
- Education level and stable employment with benefits
- Safe housing and nutritious food
- Recreational opportunities and social support networks
- Neighborhood conditions, such as environmental hazards and crime rates
Policies addressing income inequality, affordable housing, universal healthcare access, quality education, and community development are essential to improve quality of life across socioeconomic levels, as highlighted in the 2024 study on local food system approaches to address food and nutrition security among low-income populations 1. Additionally, the 2024 scientific statement from the American Heart Association emphasizes the role of socioeconomic and structural determinants of health in achieving Life's Essential 8, which defines 4 health behaviors and 4 health factors critical to achieving cardiovascular health 1. To improve quality of life, it is crucial to address the social determinants of health, including socioeconomic status, and implement policies that promote equitable access to resources and opportunities, as supported by the most recent and highest quality studies 1.
From the Research
Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Quality of Life
- Socioeconomic status has been found to be a significant predictor of quality of life, with individuals of higher socioeconomic status reporting better quality of life 2.
- Social capital may play a mediating role in the relationship between socioeconomic status and quality of life, with social capital being a significant mechanism by which adults' socioeconomic status influences their quality of life 2.
- Perceived socioeconomic status is directly associated with greater quality of life, and social support acts as a partial mediator in the relationship between socioeconomic status and quality of life 3.
Factors Influencing the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Quality of Life
- Access to healthcare is an important factor, with evidence supporting a relationship between socioeconomic status and healthcare access, as well as healthcare access and health outcomes for older adults 4.
- Patient perceptions of healthcare can also be influenced by socioeconomic status, with patients perceiving that their socioeconomic status affects their healthcare, including treatment provided, access to care, and patient-provider interaction 5.
Interventions to Improve Quality of Life
- Investing in social infrastructure, encouraging social cohesiveness, and decreasing social inequities can help improve quality of life by promoting social capital 2.
- Creating and fostering social networks and connections in communities, encouraging social capital among people, and ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities can also help improve quality of life 2.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective management technique for mental health and stress-related disorders, which can also impact quality of life 6.