From the WSJ's Numbers Guy (Winning a longer life):
Can winning a Nobel Prize really add several years to your life?
That's what a study released last week in England alleged. It adds to a growing body of research examining the effect of status on longevity. Related research has suggested that actress Helen Mirren might live longer if she wins an Oscar next month for her performance in "The Queen."
The reason, according to researchers, is the bump in prestige enjoyed by winners, compared with nominees who don't win. The Nobel and Oscar studies join other research that has found that, even among people who are already wealthy and successful, status can extend their lives.
The problem with studying this question with the AERE data is that, I hear, the number of nominees is very small each year. The sample size is too low for statistical analysis.
But, here is a slam dunk paper idea at the Southern Economic Journal in about 50 years: Does minor status add years to your life?
The Georgescu-Roegen Prize "is awarded each year by the Southern Economic Association for the best academic article published in the Southern Economic Journal." Here is your data of long-lived winners. Note, I won't be living longer since I'm in the population of losers.
I wish I had a nickel for every time I've written those last six words!
