A recent study reveals that the lower-middle class in America is facing worsening health outcomes and financial struggles compared to 20 years ago. This overlooked class has a lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic illness, and less overall wealth than the previous generation of Americans with similar incomes in the 1990s. These individuals earn too much to qualify for government assistance, yet struggle to afford healthcare and housing due to increasing costs.
The study analyzed the health and economic well-being of middle-aged Americans between 1994 and 2018, using data from the National Institute on Aging-sponsored Health and Retirement Study. The findings indicate a significant divergence in the middle class, contradicting the common focus on the most vulnerable populations when discussing inequality.
This figure shows the life expectancy beginning at age 60 for men and women in the US in the lower-middle and upper-middle classes
The study found the healthy life expectancy of people 60 years old increased by five percent over the 24 years observed to approximately 84 years old for women and 78 years old for men
The survey encompassed diverse racial backgrounds and included men and women aged 53 to 58 from across the US. Bryan Tysinger, co-author of the study and director of health policy simulation at the USC Schaeffer Center, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the challenges faced by the lower-middle class, as the public discourse on inequality often neglects this group. The middle class is loosely defined as individuals earning between approximately $38,000 and $114,400 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The study focused on individuals earning $31,110 in the lower-middle class and $57,233 in the upper-middle class over the 24-year period. Findings indicate that while the healthy life expectancy for individuals aged 60 increased by five percent, those in the lower economic class experienced little change, with an average life expectancy of 78 for women and 75 for men.
The study also highlights a worsening health status for both upper-middle and lower-middle class individuals at age 50, albeit at a faster rate for the latter. Smoking rates have significantly decreased among higher-earners, while rates remain unchanged for lower-earners. Chronic pain has increased in both cohorts but at a faster rate for lower earners. Obesity, however, has become more prevalent across both economic classes, with a higher rate among upper-middle class men.
The wealth gap between the classes has also widened. Between 1994 and 2018, the financial value at age 60 for individuals in the upper-middle class grew by 13 percent, while the lower-middle class experienced minimal growth at only three percent. Homeownership rates drastically declined for the lower-middle class during this period, further exacerbating the wealth disparity.
Dana Goldman, co-author of the study and dean of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, emphasizes that the lower-middle class will likely face greater healthcare needs in their older years without the necessary economic resources to address them. The study serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by this overlooked segment of the population.
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