People with higher educational attainment are more likely to live longer and to experience better health outcomes.[i] Education is linked with health through three major pathways. First, education can increase people’s knowledge and cognitive skills, enabling them to make more-informed health-related choices, like refraining from tobacco use or following up with medical appointments. Second, education provides the knowledge and skills necessary for employment, which strongly influences health. More education is associated with a greater likelihood of being employed and having a job with healthier working conditions, better benefits, and higher wages. Refer to the indicators on income and poverty to further explore this relationship. Third, education is linked with social and psychological factors, including sense of control, social standing, and social support. These factors can improve health by reducing stress, influencing health-related behaviors, and providing practical and emotional support.

Rising neighborhood educational levels can indicate that educational levels are rising among existing residents, that individuals with higher levels of education are moving into the area, and/or that less educated residents are moving out of the neighborhood.