If you are looking for a longer life, your best option is probably to head to the coast. A new Ohio State University study found that Americans living near the ocean tend to outlive their inland counterparts, but the same lifespan growth is not possible for people living near rivers and lakes, especially in urban areas.
Coastal air and cooler temperatures may help extend life
The study was published in the journal Environmental Researchanalysed life expectancy and environmental data across more than 66,000 consecutive U.S. census areas. People living within 50 kilometers of the coast (about 30 miles) on average are more than a year older than the national average of 79 years old. Meanwhile, in cities near large inland waterways, lifespan is usually shorter, immersed in nearly 78 years.
“Overall, coastal residents will live longer one year or longer than the 79-year average,” said Jianyong “Jamie” Wu, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Ohio State University. “We found a clear difference – in coastal areas, people live longer.”
What makes coastal life healthier?
The researchers explored many possible factors. Coastal areas tend to:
- Fewer hot days and lower average temperatures
- Clean air with low flue gas and pollution levels
- More access to leisure spaces and beaches
- Flat terrain and better transport network
- Higher average family income
“Preventing violence is preventing suicide,” Wu explained. “On the other hand, pollution, poverty, lack of safe opportunities for physical activity and increased risk of flooding may be the drivers of these differences.”
Inland water, urban dilemma
Contrary to expectations, living near a lake or river is not always beneficial. In urban areas, proximity to large inland water bodies is actually related to a shorter life span. “We think that any type of ‘blue space’ has the potential to bring some beneficial effects, and we were surprised to find such a clear difference,” Wu said.
Yanni Cao, a postdoctoral researcher who co-wrote the author, believes the data helps explain broader national trends. “The various social determinants that contribute to health inequality, including complex environmental factors, play a key role in the differences we see,” Cao said.
Why rural water still helps
Contrary to urban discoveries, rural residents living near inland water have a slight benefit to life expectancy. This suggests that in rural environments, factors such as reduced population density, reduced air pollution, and different land uses may mitigate certain risks in urban water life.
Plan longer lifespan
The authors of the study hope that their findings will inform future urban planning and public health strategies. Integrating access to coastal blue spaces, ensuring better air quality and opportunities for improved infrastructure can help more communities benefit from the health impacts in the seaside population.
This study represents the first large-scale analysis in the United States, analyzing how different types of water proximity affect life expectancy. It also raises important questions: Can urban design bring inland welfare closer to that of coastal areas? How do we ensure that these benefits are shared fairly between income and race?
As cities look to the future, the answer may lie not only in green parks and cleaner streets, but in rethinking our relationship with water.
Diary and doi
Posted in Environmental Research
doi:10.1016/j.envres.2025.121981
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