OSU Research Reveals a Striking Link between Coastal Living and Longevity
Table of Contents
Keith Arnold
Special to the Legal News
Published: August 25, 2025
Do ocean breezes hold the secret to a longer life? Groundbreaking research from the Ohio State University College of Public Health suggests they might. A new study indicates a compelling correlation between residing near the atlantic, Pacific, or Gulf coasts and increased life expectancy.
The research team meticulously analyzed population data from over 66,000 U.S. census tracts, comparing life expectancy figures with proximity to various waterways. The findings, recently detailed in a press release, paint a clear picture: coastal dwellers live longer.
“the coastal residents were expected to live a year or more longer than the 79-year average, and those who lived in more urban areas near inland rivers and lakes were likely to die by about 78 or so,”
Jianyong “Jamie” wu, Assistant Professor of Environmental health Sciences at OSU
However, the story isn’t uniformly positive. The study revealed a contrasting trend for individuals living in urban environments near inland bodies of water larger than 4 square miles. While coastal proximity correlated with longevity, living near inland waterways in urban settings appeared to decrease life expectancy.
A Complex Web of Factors
according to led researcher Jamie Wu, the extended lifespan of coastal residents is highly likely due to a confluence of interconnected factors. “The coastal residents probably live longer due to a variety of intertwined factors,” he explained. these include milder climates, superior air quality, increased recreational opportunities, robust transportation infrastructure, reduced vulnerability to drought, and, importantly, higher average incomes.
Conversely, OSU postdoctoral researcher Yanni Cao points to a darker side for those near inland waterways in urban areas.”Pollution, poverty, lack of safe opportunities for exercise, and an increased risk of flooding likely were drivers for the worse outcome,” she stated. These social and environmental determinants of health create a challenging surroundings for residents.
Temperature: A Key Differentiator
the study pinpointed one especially critical difference: coastal areas experience significantly fewer extremely hot days and lower maximum temperatures compared to inland water areas.This seemingly simple factor could have a profound impact on overall health and longevity.
Wu’s initial inspiration stemmed from existing research demonstrating a link between proximity to water – what he terms ”blue-space living” - and positive health outcomes, such as increased physical activity, lower obesity rates, and improved cardiovascular health. He sought to determine if this connection extended to lifespan and whether the relationship varied based on neighborhood type.
“We thought it was possible that any type of blue space would offer some beneficial effects, and we were surprised to find such a significant and clear difference between those who live near coastal waters and those who live near inland waters,” Wu noted. “We found a clear difference – in coastal areas, people are living longer.”
Implications for U.S.Life Expectancy
cao expressed curiosity about how these findings might shed light on recent trends in U.S. life expectancy, wich has experienced a sharper decline and slower recovery compared to other wealthy nations.
“It’s likely that various social determinants of health, including complex environmental factors, that contribute to health inequities are playing a key role in the differences we saw,”
Yanni Cao, OSU Postdoctoral Researcher
The study, published in the journal Environmental Research, represents the first comprehensive, systematic examination of the relationship between different types of blue space and longevity within the United States. It offers a compelling argument for considering environmental factors – and particularly access to healthy coastal environments – as crucial components of public health policy and urban planning. As Wu succinctly puts it, living near the ocean isn’t just a lifestyle choice; it may be a life-extending one.
