Education, Health, and Life Expectancy Across Ethnic Groups

Abstract

Life expectancy varies by socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity and religion. Although education positively or negatively influences life expectancy, mechanisms underlying the education-life expectancy link across ethnic groups are not clearly understood. Drawing from human capital theory of learned effectiveness, this chapter systematically reviews relevant literature to understand SES, lifestyle and health as mechanisms by which education transmits different effects on life expectancy between majority and minority ethnic groups, focusing on Bangladesh. The systematic review suggests that lower SES, poor lifestyle and health mediate the association between lower-education and lower life expectancy in the minority groups compared to the majority group. This chapter also discusses future directions for longitudinal research and implications to improve life expectancy in the minority ethnic groups.