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Can Frequent Sauna Use Actually Offset the Health Risks Associated With Low Income Living?

We have all heard the old adage ‘Money can’t buy you happiness’. This may be true, but as it turns out the scientific data does suggest that money can buy you health.

If you are broke or living paycheck to paycheck then the sad truth is you are more likely to die at a younger age than your higher income counterparts. Yes, the rich (in general) live longer, healthier lives than those living in poverty. Unfortunately, poverty for the purposes of this article refers to low income living in the western world.

The stress of living with little to no disposable income takes its toll on the body and results in high rates of all cause mortality. Highly processed foods are more affordable when compared to organic, or minimally processed foods in wealthier countries. Additionally, low income individuals are more likely to live with chronic autoimmune disorders, heart disease, diabetes, and many more high risk ailments. (1)  In addition, in the United States these individuals will not be in a position to have particularly great medical insurance, if any at all.  They also will not have the disposable income to access alternative medicine that may offset the stress hormones that riddle the body when money is tight.

All is not lost if you are living in a lower economic situation, as a new study found that individuals living in low socioeconomic situations could in fact offset some of the challenges associated with these stresses by taking a sauna as often as possible. (3)

For most of us it is pretty obvious how the stress of living with less money can affect health in such drastic ways. This article will look at exactly how stress affects the health of lower income individuals as well as the details of the study that brought to light the possibility of using a sauna to offset some of the damage caused by financial struggles. Furthermore, how an individual can overcome the challenges of accessing a sauna if you are living in a low income situation. 

Why Does a Low Socioeconomic Status Increase Health Risks?

There are the very obvious reasons why low income living affects an individual’s health; such as less access to medical resources, high quality and minimally processed foods, community violence, clean water, and toxic levels of daily high stress. According to an article published by OASH (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion) from the US Department of of Health and Human Services:

Across the lifespan, residents of impoverished communities are at increased risk for mental illness, chronic disease, higher mortality, and lower life expectancy.” (1)

The number of individuals living in poverty in the US grew by 11.4% in 2020. The cost of food and housing is increasing without a parallel adjustment to pay. The outcome on health for these individuals has been devastating. 

Living under stress of limited financial resources draws the individual’s nervous system into states of hyper arousal or vigilance for prolonged periods of time. This means that when cortisol levels are high for an extended period of time it becomes more difficult to obtain adequate sleep. The body is simply not in a position to direct its energy inward toward healing and regeneration. 

Living with high stress can cause individuals to turn to self medicating such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and other less than healthy habits. You may think that high stress is present even for those who have money, and this is true, but the reality is that the data shows that those with less financial resources get sick, and stay sick at higher rates and their life expectancy is between 10 and 15 years less than those living with adequate resources. (1)

Even if one factor could change for low income individuals, and this was not an increase in available money, or health insurance, a recent cohort study found that the one factor may actually be sauna use. 

Let’s dive deeply into this study to find out how it was conducted so that we may better understand how having access to a sauna could potentially change the outcome of a low income individual’s life.

Why Are Cohort Studies Significant and What is a Cohort Study?

Not all studies and scientific data are created equally.  Among many factors to examine in determining the validity of a scientific research study is whether it has been published in a peer reviewed journal, and also if the study took into account the effects over a period of time. This is why a cohort study is often considered among the most reliable when it comes to changing our lifestyle.

Here is a basic summary of the definition of a cohort study and its two primary sub categories: 

“A cohort study is a type of observational study that follows a group of participants over a period of time, examining how certain factors (like exposure to a given risk factor) affect their health outcomes. The individuals in the cohort have a characteristic or lived experience in common, such as birth year or geographic area.

While there are several types of cohort study—including open, closed, and dynamic—there are two that are particularly common: prospective cohort studies and retrospective cohort studies.

In prospective cohort studies, data is collected over time to compare the occurrence of the outcome of interest in those who were exposed to the risk factor and those who were not. This can help ascertain whether the risk factor could be associated with the outcome.

In retrospective cohort studies, your participants must already possess the disease or health outcome being studied prior to joining. The study is then focused on analyzing the health outcomes of those who share the exposure to the risk factor over a period of time.” (2)

The Study that Tells the Story of a Sauna Changing the Quality of Health and Life Expectancy in Low Income Individuals 

The study began by considering three basic premises: 

  1. Increased Mortality Risk In Low Income Individuals
  2. High Frequency Sauna Use is Correlated With Lower All Cause Mortality
  3. Frequent Use of a Sauna May Offset Mortality Due to Low Income Living (3)

Science Direct published a study that unequivocally demonstrates how sauna use can improve the overall health and lifespan of those living in lower socioeconomic environments entitled: ‘Frequent sauna bathing offsets the increased risk of death due to low socioeconomic status: A prospective cohort study of middle-aged and older men’ (3)

This cohort study spanned almost 28 years and examined 2575 men aged 42–61. The men were divided into groups depending on their income which was determined as high or low (self reported by the men), the second factor in study was the regularity of sauna use by the men. (3)

This is how the study defined frequent sauna use: “defined as ≤2 and 3–7 sessions/week, respectively” (3)

This means that according to this study less than 2 saunas a week was not considered frequent, while 3-7 sauna sessions a week was considered frequent. 

The study followed up on the men involved in the study 27.8 years later. The results of the study were remarkable: 

Frequent sauna baths may offset the increased overall mortality risk due to low SES (Socioeconomic Status).” (3) 

The study also states that “Positive additive and multiplicative interactions were found between SES and FSB (Frequent Sauna Bathing).” (3)

This study heralds good news for anyone fearful that their low income will negatively affect their health. The major issue with this study is that it was performed in Finland where saunas are readily available to the public for little to zero cost. In Finland the ratio of saunas to people is roughly 1 sauna per household. Many saunas are available in public places for no cost at all. So, what if you are low income in America and cannot access a sauna?

Major Issue With This Study: How Can Low Income Individuals Access a Sauna?

  • Government Based Contributions and Programs
  • Communal Saunas (Gyms, YMCAs, Universities)
  • Low Cost Saunas With Payment Plans
  • Purchase a ‘Group’ Sauna Among Friends

It is going to be much more difficult to access saunas in other parts of the world that are not Finland, but there are ways to sauna with a low cost. First of all, the outpouring of scientific data and research on the effectiveness of saunas on overall health has caused some government supported industries such as firefighting to be provided with saunas in fire halls in places such as Mineapolis. (4) This points toward a positive trend in the direction of making saunas available in areas and places that are government funded. 

Secondly, another option is to find 24 hour fitness institutions, the YMCA, and other gyms that may have saunas. Gyms are becoming more and more affordable and many offer saunas with their packages. This means that for a reasonable price you can join a gym even if it is only to access the sauna. Some YMCAs have saunas that you may be able to access. If you are a student in college then you will find that most universities have a steam room or sauna that you can use daily. 

Contraindications Regarding Communal Saunas– Using a communal sauna may be more affordable, however there are health risks. These include bacterial blooms in the warm moist environment, communicable viral infections, and being vulnerable in a public space while minimally clothed. 

Thirdly, It is possible to purchase a sauna for your home for around $2,000 with payment options and no electrical changes required for the home owner. Most sauna companies will offer payment plans so that you can purchase your sauna and pay for it over the course of several months. If you can save up enough money to purchase a sauna and pay for it  with Klarna over the course of 4 months then there may not be any interest fees.

Finally, if you and your family, or friends all decide to contribute to purchase a sauna then you can share it. No one person will be in a sauna all day long so it would be possible to take turns using the sauna. Ideally, each individual would only need to use the sauna for 45 minutes at a time 4-7 days a week. So, if you have trusted friends, or family you could pool your resources together to buy a sauna and share it. 

If You Are Rich or Poor Find a Sauna That You Can Use 3-7 Times Per Week To Offset Mortality and Other Health Disorders

The future of health is bright when you consider the preventative effects that frequent sauna bathing has on all-cause mortality and quality of life for both the very wealthy and the very poor. If you are living a high stress life due to lack of financial resources it is even more important that you find a way to access a sauna. This could extend your life, and keep you from being dependent on pharmacology for the rest of your life. 

Yes, in America saunas are not nearly as accessible as they are in Finland where the study was performed. However, even if you are in a low socioeconomic status there are options available to access heat therapy. 

Even if you cannot make the stress of bills, low quality food, and sometimes unsafe housing go away, you may be able to lower the stress hormones that are responsible for so many illnesses by finding your way to a sauna. 

Reach out to local groups to find out if there are any saunas available near you for a low cost, or consider buying a sauna with a trusted group of friends or family. 

If you do decide to begin using a sauna frequently, then please stay well hydrated and consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns. 

Citations:

  1. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/poverty
  2. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/cohort-study/
  3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556522002145
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8647371/
  5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/ischemic-heart-disease

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