Living near the ocean might help you live a longer life, but the same may not be true if you live near a river or lake in a city.
That’s the conclusion of a new study by researchers at The Ohio State University, who looked at population and life expectancy data from over 66,000 areas across the United States.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Research, found that people who live within 30 miles of an ocean or gulf tend to live longer—about one year longer than the national average of 79 years.
In contrast, people living in cities near large inland water bodies, such as rivers or lakes over four square miles in size, had a slightly lower life expectancy—closer to 78 years.
The researchers believe that the longer lifespans of coastal residents may be due to a mix of factors. These include cleaner air, milder weather, more chances to exercise and enjoy nature, better transportation, and higher incomes. Living by the ocean may also reduce exposure to extreme heat and droughts.
On the other hand, people living near rivers or lakes in cities might face more pollution, poverty, unsafe neighborhoods, fewer places for physical activity, and a greater risk of flooding. All these factors may lead to poorer health and shorter lives.
Lead researcher Jianyong “Jamie” Wu said the team was surprised by the strong contrast between coastal areas and inland water areas.
Wu, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences, explained that the team originally thought that any kind of “blue space”—a term used to describe places near water—would offer health benefits. But their findings showed that not all water settings are the same when it comes to health and lifespan.
This study is the first of its kind to look at how living near different types of water may affect life expectancy across the U.S. The research also considered whether people lived in cities or rural areas. It found that rural residents near water might also enjoy some of the same benefits as coastal dwellers.
Yanni Cao, a postdoctoral researcher on the study, noted that coastal areas tend to have fewer very hot days and lower peak temperatures, which may protect health. Previous research has shown that living near water can be linked to more exercise, lower obesity rates, and better heart health, which might explain why people by the ocean live longer.
Cao also pointed out that this research could help explain why the U.S. has seen a bigger drop and slower recovery in life expectancy compared to other wealthy countries. She believes that differences in the environments where people live, along with social conditions, likely play a role in health and lifespan.
Graduate student Ria Martins, also part of the research team, helped with the study.
The results suggest that where you live—and how close you are to different types of water—can influence how long you live. While living near the ocean may offer health advantages, living near a river in a busy city might not provide the same benefits.
If you care about wellness, please read studies about how ultra-processed foods and red meat influence your longevity, and why seafood may boost healthy aging.
For more health information, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and vitamin D could help lower the risk of autoimmune diseases.
The study is published in Environmental Research.
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