Yale tracked 3,635 people over the age of 50 for 12 years. People who read books for more than 3.5 hours a week lived 23 months longer than people who didn’t read at all. A 20% drop in mortality risk. From sitting on a couch with a book. They controlled for age, sex, race, education, wealth, health status, and depression. The gap held across every single one.
What I don’t understand about these studies is how they avoid confusing correlation and causation. People who read a lot are of a different social class than those who don’t. They are more likely to take care of their health. They won’t drink gallons of soda. They won’t engage in dangerous activities. The study controlled for wealth but wealth doesn’t bring you into the intelligentsia.
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