Christina Wraw|Ian J. Deary|Catharine R. Gale|Geoff Der
Intelligence in youth and health at age 50
University of Edinburgh|University of Edinburgh|Southampton General Hospital|University of Southampton|University of Edinburgh|MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit|University of Glasgow
link intelligence youth allcause mortality laterlife well established better understand relationship current study examines links premorbid intelligence number specific health outcomes age 50 using nlsy1979 cohort participants 5793 participants nlsy79 responded questions health outcomes age 50 sixteen health outcomes examined two summary measures physical health functional limitation 9 diagnosed illness conditions 4 selfreported conditions one measure general health status linear logistic regressions used appropriate examine relationship intelligence youth health outcomes age sex childhood adult ses subcomponents income education occupational prestige adjusted separately higher premorbid intelligence linked better physical health age 50 lower risk number chronic health conditions example 1 sd higher score iq significantly associated increased odds good good excellent health odds ratio 170 ci 155186 thirteen illness outcomes significantly negatively associated iq youth odds ratios ranged 085 diabeteshigh blood sugar 065 stroke per one standard deviation higher score iq adjustment childhood ses led little attenuation adult ses partially mediated relationship number conditions mediation adult ses consistently explained one componentsincome education occupation status current findings contribute understanding lower intelligence risk factor poor health may contribute health inequalities