What powerful predictor often overshadows immediate physical risks when researchers examine mortality differences across occupations?

The socioeconomic position linked to occupation, often correlating with education level and income

The socioeconomic position tied to an individual's job is frequently cited as one of the most significant factors in determining longevity, often outweighing the direct physical hazards of the job itself. This correlation stems from associated factors like higher income, which grants access to superior resources, and higher education levels, which typically result in better health literacy and greater access to quality healthcare resources. When mortality disparities are analyzed across occupational groups, the differences in education and income levels associated with those tiers emerge as primary drivers of the resulting lifespan gaps, influencing everything from housing quality to the ability to afford preventative medicine.