This is suggested by research published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine, directed by the teacher Iulia Iugafrom the University 1 Decembrie 1918 in Alba Iulia (Romania). The study analyzes data from 123 countries between 2006 and 2021.
The team has cross-referenced information on subjective well-being—the self-perception of happiness— with mortality rates from non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, asthma or diabetes, responsible for 75% of non-pandemic deaths in 2021.
The scientists used the call Ladder of Lifea measure of subjective well-being in which participants rate their life from 0 to 10. They have discovered that happiness becomes an asset for public health only when a value of 2.7 points. Below that threshold, emotional improvements do not translate into significant health benefits.
There is no “excessive happiness”
From that figure onwards, however, every 1% increase in perceived well-being is associated with a reduction in 0,43 % in mortality from chronic diseases between 30 and 70 years of age. According to Iuga, “we found no adverse effects of excessive happiness.”
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Countries with higher scores tend to invest more in healthhave solid social protection systems and stable governments. During the analyzed period, the global average score was 5.45, with extremes between 2.18 and 7.97.
The authors propose public policies that promote collective well-being—from preventing obesity to improving air quality or healthcare access—as part of a comprehensive health strategy. “Happiness is not just an individual emotion,” concludes Iuga, “but a measurable public health resource that can save lives.”
Reference:
Iulia Iuga et al. How Happy is Healthy Enough? Uncovering the Happiness Threshold for Global Non-Communicable Disease Prevention. Frontiers in Medicine (2025).
Fuente: SINC
