Few priorities are more important to all Americans than health, and it’s hard to imagine the kinds of gains we have experienced in quality of life and wellbeing without the contributions of the nation’s colleges. Every time we visit a doctor, go to the dentist, see a therapist, or get help from a social worker, we are benefiting from the nation’s system of higher education. In addition, American universities and medical schools are at the forefront of medical research, leading to significant advancements in healthcare and the development of new treatments, medical technologies, and public health interventions that improve the lives of millions of people, regardless of whether they attended college themselves.
But college makes us all healthier and happier in other ways, too. Communities with higher levels of educational attainment exhibit greater economic stability, stronger social cohesion, and lower poverty rates, all of which are factors in contributing to lower crime rates. Education enhances civic engagement and community participation, strengthening social networks and mutual trust among residents. A well-educated community is more likely to invest in its future, prioritize public safety, and maintain social order. Finally, studies show that communities and countries with greater levels of educational attainment tend to report higher levels of happiness as well.
Life is filled with challenges. But the more educated we are collectively, the better able we are to care for ourselves and others, to overcome challenges, and to understand the world around us. College, it turns out, is good for us, whether or not we ever earn a degree.
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