A new international study published in Frontiers in Medicineshowed: the relationship between happiness and health is not always direct, reports news service publishing houses. Increasing the sense of well-being only begins to really reduce mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases – such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or asthma – after reaching a certain level.

According to WHO, non-communicable diseases account for about 75% of global deaths not associated with pandemics. They depend on many factors – genetic, social and behavioral. The researchers decided to find out whether happiness could be one of them.

Threshold of happiness

The team, led by Professor Iulia Iugi from the University of Alba Iulia (Romania), analyzed data from 123 countries from 2006 to 2021, including mortality statistics, health spending and population surveys. The “Life Ladder” scale was used for assessment – ​​from 0 (worst life) to 10 (best).

Scientists found a “happiness threshold” of 2.7 points. Below this value, increases in life satisfaction have no effect on health. But after overcoming it, every 1% increase in subjective well-being is associated with a 0.43% decrease in mortality from heart and vascular problems, diabetes, cancer, etc. among people 30–70 years of age.

“We found no evidence of harm from ‘excessive’ happiness—its effects remain positive even at high levels,” Yuga notes.

What distinguishes “happy” countries

Countries with an average happiness score above 2.7 tend to have developed healthcare systems, sustainable governance and high social security. The average among all countries studied was 5.45, with a minimum of 2.18 (Afghanistan) and a maximum of 7.97 (Finland). Russia’s rating is approximately 5.7.

The authors emphasize that increasing happiness is possible not only through economic growth, but also through social and environmental measures: improving air quality, preventing obesity, limiting access to alcohol, increasing investment in medicine and social protection.

The researchers believe that subjective well-being should be considered as a new indicator of public health.

“Happiness is not just an emotion, but a measurable resource that affects life expectancy,” concludes Yuga. “By identifying its critical threshold, we can design policies that make people not only happier, but also healthier.”