Educational Attainment and Health Status Correlation
Educational attainment appears strongly correlated with self-rated
health status among U.S. adults. A notable
65% of individuals with
graduate degrees rate their health as excellent or good, the highest percentage across all education levels. In contrast, only
43% of those
without any postsecondary education share this positive
health assessment, marking a significant
22 percentage point difference between the highest and lowest education levels.
Graduate Degree Holders Lead in Positive Health Ratings
Holders of
graduate degrees not only top the chart with
65% rating their health as excellent or good but also set a clear benchmark for health
perception. This group's rating is
4 percentage points higher than that of
bachelor's degree holders, who come in second at
61%. This differentiation underscores the incremental benefits of higher education on perceived health status.
Continuous Decline Across Education Levels
A continuous decline in the percentage of U.S. adults rating their health as excellent or good is observed as educational attainment decreases. From
61% among bachelor's degree holders to
43% among those with no postsecondary education, each successive education level reports a lower positive health status, highlighting the gradient effect of education on health perceptions.
Significant Drop Beyond Postsecondary Education
The data reveals a significant drop in health status ratings between individuals with some postsecondary education and those with an associate degree. While
55% of associate degree holders rate their health positively, this figure falls to
47% for those with some postsecondary education but no degree, indicating a crucial threshold within postsecondary educational attainment impacting health perceptions.
Comparison Between Postsecondary Educated and Non-educated Adults
The comparison between adults with and without postsecondary education showcases a stark contrast in health status perceptions. Adults with at least some postsecondary education exhibit a
4 percentage point higher positive health rating (
47%) compared to their counterparts with no postsecondary education (
43%). This comparison underscores the significance of even partial higher education on individuals' health outlook.