Daniel

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals a surprising truth: even the wealthiest Americans face higher mortality rates than the poorest individuals in Western European countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Researchers analyzed health data from more than 73,000 adults aged 50 to 85 between 2010 and 2022. The findings show that death rates in northern and western Europe are up to 40% lower than in the U.S.—regardless of income level.

Health Outcomes Reflect More Than Income

The data suggests that while wealth improves life expectancy everywhere, the United States shows a sharper and more dangerous divide between rich and poor. Even high-income earners in America experience shorter lifespans compared to those in countries with stronger public health systems and social safety nets.

Access to healthcare plays a major role in these disparities. Many European countries offer universal health coverage, removing financial barriers to preventative care, diagnostics, and treatment. In contrast, the American healthcare system remains fragmented, costly, and often dependent on employment status.

But healthcare access isn’t the only factor. Researchers point to broader public policies in Europe that support long-term health outcomes: investments in education, housing, public transport, and elder care. These structural supports contribute to healthier lifestyles and reduced stress—factors that have long-term effects on both mental and physical health.

Inequality Has a Measurable Biological Impact

The U.S. not only shows a wider gap between the health of rich and poor, but also appears to offer fewer protections to its wealthiest citizens. In European countries, even low-income individuals benefit from national health policies designed to reduce inequality. In the U.S., income does not shield people from social stressors such as job insecurity, high medical costs, or community-level health risks.

Researchers suggest that systemic stress tied to inequality—combined with lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, and work culture—may contribute to worse health outcomes even for affluent Americans. In this context, the problem appears less about how much money someone earns and more about how national systems are structured to support public health.

Teens are sleeping less than ever, and the culprit is often glowing right in their hands. With smartphones, tablets, and laptops now a regular part of evening routines, researchers are sounding the alarm on how screen time directly affects teenage sleep. It’s not just about staying up late scrolling—it’s about real biological changes in the body’s sleep chemistry.

Melatonin Suppression and Delayed Sleep Onset

A study in Lighting Research & Technology found that even one hour of evening screen exposure reduces melatonin production in teens by 23%. After two hours, suppression rises to 38%. Melatonin is the hormone responsible for signaling the brain when it’s time to sleep, and when its production is delayed, so is the natural urge to wind down.

This effect is particularly strong in teens, who already have a delayed circadian rhythm due to puberty. Add artificial light exposure on top of that, and the results can be long stretches of wakefulness, late bedtimes, and chronic sleep deficits. These aren’t just occasional late nights—many teens are routinely getting far less sleep than they need.

How Screen Time Impacts Daily Functioning

According to Pew Research Center, 95% of U.S. teens own a smartphone, and a large percentage report using their devices for more than five hours a day. A sizable chunk of that use continues into the night, long after homework is finished. That much exposure to screens doesn’t just delay sleep—it cuts into the total amount of rest they get, especially on school nights.

In a randomized controlled trial published in Sleep, teens who limited screen use after 9 PM fell asleep earlier, slept longer, and showed improved attention during the day. The findings highlight that the issue isn’t just behavioral—it’s physiological. Reducing screen time before bed doesn’t just shift habits; it improves how the brain functions during waking hours.

When thinking about adolescent health, the impact of screen time on sleep deserves more serious attention. Not because of fear or tech shaming, but because the science is increasingly clear: screens are shaping when and how teens sleep—and not for the better

Credit

• Pew Research Center:
• https://www.pewresearch.org/
• Figueiro, M., & Overington, D. (2016). Lighting Research & Technology, 48(8), 966–975.
• Perrault, A. A. et al. (2019). Sleep, 42(9), zsz125.