Your degree decides your lifespan

The Times of India ^ | SATURDAY, AUGUST 02, 2003 10:10:23 AM

[yonif]

LONDON: To live longer, choose the right degree course. Students of science or engineering have the best chance of living longer, while arts or law students are more likely to have a shorter life, according to research published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

A survey of mortality rates found arts students were 60 per cent more likely to die prematurely than their contemporaries in the sciences.

It said that medical students ran the highest risk of succumbing to an alcohol-related death.

The research was based on the death rates of over 8,000 male students aged between 16 and 29 who attended Glasgow University between 1948 and 1968. Deaths before June 30, 2000 were recorded.

The research recorded that engineering students returned the best health prospects: only 8.92 per cent of the sample had died, while the figures for other courses were 9.25 for scientists, 9.89 for medics, 12.88 for lawyers and as high as 14.81 per cent for arts students.

The reason cited for the higher mortality rate for arts students is that they were less likely to gain a secure and well paying job, making them stressed and malnourished.

Peter McCarron of the Queen's University of Belfast who conducted the research said subject choices influenced a student's economic position.

[steplock]

I wanna kniow --- how many more years before the lawyers kick-the-bucket?

[Orangedog]

You'd think that lawyers would have the longer life-span. One would think that in selling their souls to the devil they would at least have a clause in the contract for a longer life.

[Reeses]

The reason cited for the higher mortality rate for arts students is that they were less likely to gain a secure and well paying job, making them stressed and malnourished.

and often end up becoming vegetarian hypoglycemic socialists.

[4mycountry]

To live longer, choose the right degree course. Students of science or engineering have the best chance of living longer,

The research recorded that engineering students returned the best health prospects: only 8.92 per cent of the sample had died, while the figures for other courses were 9.25 for scientists,

If I read your profile right, you live long time, Kemosabe.

I, on the other hand, am going to drop dead sooner than I'd like. :-/

[dark_lord]

The higher aggregate mortality rate for arts students is no mystery -- they have a much greater number of gay males, who because of their lifestyle die at a much younger age.

But what's up with the lawyers?

[Tijeras_Slim]

I have a degree in philosophy but run a lab that does radiation effects work. I may wreck the curve.

[sheik yerbouty]

"Speedily, and in our day."

[rustbucket]

But what's up with the lawyers?

Their clients killed them.

[El Gato]

Another example of (possibly) confusing correllation with causation. It's likely that the choices that a person makes about what degree to pursue are also influenced by the same personality and other traits which influence lifespan.

[Sacajaweau]

My degree is in engineering. Only men were included in the study. What are my chances? I'm female!

My father in law always said: How come everytime I go to the cemetery, all I see is little old ladies putting flowers on the husbands grave?

[mr.pink]

It's likely that the choices that a person makes about what degree to pursue are also influenced by the same personality and other traits which influence lifespan.

Maybe. I see a lot of this as stress related (doctors, lawyers), and income related (arts).

[boris]

"Maybe. I see a lot of this as stress related (doctors, lawyers)"

You should come and follow me around in my engineering job for one week, if you think engineering is a low-stress job...

--Boris

[PatrioticAmerican]

I am in the middle of a law suit, so just how long do lawyers live?

[speekinout]

100% of people who eat carrots die. :-)

I do get tired of these reports that are supposed to mean something. This story has no mention of controlling for other life-style factors.

[b4its2late]

while arts or law students are more likely to have a shorter life,

I think this may call for a celebration of sorts.

[mr.pink]

f you think engineering is a low-stress job...

I never meant to suggest engineering as a stress-free occupation.

I think that's the inevitable problem with a study like this. Within each group there would be variants based on particulars of different jobs.