Editor's note: This is a transcript of the audio file.
A British survey finds men with the highest net worth live an average of six years longer than those with a lot less money, and that gap has been widening over the past 20 years. I'm Doug Whiteman with your Bankrate.com Personal Finance Minute.
A similar pattern has shown up in the U.S. One 2008 study, by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, indicated that the rich live longer by an average of nearly two years.
Access to health care is cited as one reason why the wealthy tend to outlive the poor, but studies conclude that lifestyle also is a huge factor. Lower-income workers have a higher tendency to smoke and drink, and have higher obesity rates than their wealthier counterparts.
Meanwhile, British researchers also report that the rich tend to produce a higher level of a hormone called DHEAS, which is linked to life expectancy. Those with high levels of this particular hormone also exercise more, have more pastimes and have more friends and family. Perhaps it's also a byproduct of having all that money to enjoy life.
For more on luxury and longevity, visit Bankrate.com. I'm Doug Whiteman.