RESEARCH: LIVING BY THE SEA EXTENDS LIFE
A study conducted in the USA revealed that living in coastal areas prolongs human life.
Researchers from Ohio State University analyzed the relationship between life expectancy and proximity to coastal areas by examining the population records of 66,263 people. According to the results obtained, those living in areas close to the seashore live one year longer than the average, while the lifespan of those living in urban areas may be shorter.
Environmental Health Specialist Jianyong Wu, who conducted the study, said, “Individuals living in coastal areas are expected to live at least one year longer compared to an average lifespan of 79 years. In contrast, the average lifespan of those living in urban areas decreases to 78 years.”
According to the researchers, coastal areas experience fewer hot or cold days, have higher air quality, and offer more opportunities for physical activities. The situation is more complex in settlements with inland water sources. Although the study found that rural areas with inland waters had some positive effect on life expectancy, this effect remained limited when compared to coastal living. In contrast, the results are the opposite in urban centers along lakes and rivers.
Yanni Cao, an academician from Ohio State University, stated in her evaluation of the research results, “Factors such as pollution, poverty, lack of safe areas for physical activity, and flood risk are among the possible reasons for the lower life expectancy observed in urban areas with inland waters.”
