Why going broke can be deadly

LOSING your house and savings significantly increases your risk of early death, according to a study.

Scientists found that adults who lost threequarters of their net worth were 50 per cent more likely to die in the next 20 years.

The American research is the first of its kind to examine the long-term health effects of a sudden financial loss.

It also found that being wealthy but suddenly losing it all was almost as bad for your health as always living in poverty.

There are two reasons why losing money may lead to an early death, according to the study. First, the mental toll and stress triggers health conditions including high blood pressure, strokes and cancer. Second, those who have lost money may be less inclined to look after their own health.

The study, published in the journal JAMA, looked at the records of 8,000 adults over 50 for a 20-year period.

Lead author Dr Lindsay Pool, of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said: ‘Clinicians need to have an awareness of their patients’ financial circumstances. It’s something they need to ask about to understand if their patients may be at an increased health risk.’