Victorians might have taken the sea air as a remedy for sickness – and, as it turns out, they might have been onto something. While a trip to the coast might not heal existing illnesses, a new study shows that living near the ocean might help you live longer.
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A new study by researchers from the Ohio State University found that people in coastal regions of the US have longer life expectancies than the US average by a year or more, with city dwellers near inland rivers and lakes having shorter lifespans. These findings suggest that not all “blue spaces” are equally beneficial.
These differences have been attributed to cleaner air, cooler summers and opportunity for recreational activities. The researchers also cited better transportation, less susceptibility to drought, and higher incomes – which may not be transferable to inhabitants of coastal regions in the UK.
“Overall, the coastal residents were expected to live a year or more longer than the 79-year average, and those who lived in more urban areas near inland rivers and lakes were likely to die by about 78 or so. The coastal residents probably live longer due to a variety of intertwined factors,” said lead researcher Jianyong "Jamie" Wu.
Researchers analysed population data from more than 66,000 census tracts across the US, publishing their findings in the journal Environmental Research.
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