Why New York's Life Expectancy Is the Highest in the Nation
Some days I think that living in NYC will kill me, but apparently, it’s actually giving me a longer life. Well, for that I’m thankful. The article is a quick, interesting read; here are a few reasons they cite that us New Yorkers (yes, I’m including myself in the “New Yorker” category) live longer:
- Policy: Anti-smoking and anti-obesity campaigns, higher taxes on cigarettes, and calorie-count requirements for fast food restaurants
- Walking: With narrow streets, an abundance of stores, and a dearth of parking, the city is practically designed to make us walk. Before we get on the subway, we walk there, and after we arrive at our stop, we climb numerous flights of stairs.
- The elderly have it good: Old people also have it much better than the elderly in bucolic settings. The essentials—food, medicine, laundromats, parks—are usually mere blocks from their homes.
- Lots of opportunities for mental stimulation: Studies have shown that cultural attractions getting people out of the house and exercising their brains elongate life.
