Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) include heart disease, cancer, asthma, and diabetes, and are responsible for 75% of deaths globally, making them one of the most serious health challenges of our time.
While genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are known to play a role in determining health risks, new research adds a new factor to the equation: personal happiness levels.
Professor Julia Yuga of Alba Iulia University emphasizes that "happiness is not just a personal feeling, but a measurable resource in public health," redefining the concept of health beyond the traditional focus on smoking cessation and improved nutrition.
In their study, the researchers analyzed data from 123 countries using the "Life Ladder" scale, which measures happiness from zero to ten. The results revealed a critical tipping point at a score of 2.7, where improvements in happiness levels begin to translate into measurable health benefits. Countries with average happiness levels above this threshold experience a significant reduction in deaths from non-communicable diseases, with every 1% increase in subjective well-being associated with a 0.43% reduction in mortality rates.
Although the precise mechanisms behind this relationship are still being studied, experts suggest that a sense of well-being may reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. These findings also support previous studies showing that people with depression are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke, and that a positive outlook after a diagnosis can significantly improve health outcomes.
These findings open new horizons for public health, as governments can raise happiness levels through concrete policies such as strengthening obesity prevention programs, tightening restrictions on alcohol, improving air quality, and increasing per capita health spending. This confirms that investing in citizens' happiness is no longer a luxury, but rather an investment in their health and well-being.
