What Makes You Happy?

"Live long and prosper" is a phrase all Star Trek fans know as a Vulcan greeting. 

So, does this mean you have to prosper in order to live long? Recent studies seem to support this idea. For instance, 

According to the findings, patients with the highest incomes had only 35% of the risk of dying during the study period as those in the lowest income group. In addition, those in the highest education group had only 26% of the risk of death during the study period, compared with those in the lowest education bracket.

Read more: http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2011/2/9/universal-access-to-care-does-not-fully-eliminate-disparities-study-finds.aspx#ixzz1DbwUD7N9

 How does happiness fit in? Are rich people happier as well as healthier? According to a recent Gallup report, they are.

But is it the chicken or the egg? Are rich people happier because they're healthier? Do poor people get sick because they can't afford to eat well and work out at costly gyms?

We invite you to share your thoughts!

Free Care Does Not Guarantee Health

Is it enough to have health insurance, no matter how much it costs, even if it's free? Is good health guaranteed when you have access to health care- doctors, drugs, and hospitals?

According to a study in Health Affairs, it's not enough.

People of high income and education live healthier and longer than people of low socioeconomic status. What do you think is the reason for that?

This should make Judge Vinson and all the anti-mandate folks happy.