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M. G. Marmot
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The Status Syndrome: How Social Standing Affects Our Health and Longevity Paperback – Illustrated, September 5, 2005

by Michael Marmot (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 177 ratings
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"Bold, important and masterful . . . Marmot's message is not just timely, it's urgent."
 -The Washington Post Book World

You probably didn't realize that when you graduate from college you increase your lifespan, or that your co-worker who has a slightly better job is more likely to live a healthier life. In this groundbreaking book, epidemiologist Michael Marmot marshals evidence from nearly thirty years of research to demonstrate that status is not a footnote to the causes of ill health-it is the cause. He calls this effect the status syndrome.

The status syndrome is pervasive. It determines the chances that you will succumb to heart disease, stroke, cancers, infectious diseases, even suicide and homicide. And the issue, as Marmot shows, is not simply one of income or lifestyle. It is the psychological experience of inequality-how much control you have over your life and the opportunities you have for full social participation-that has a profound effect on your health.

The Status Syndrome will utterly change the way we think about health, society, and how we live our lives.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Owl Books
  4. Publication date
    September 5, 2005
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0805078541
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0805078541
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“[The] cutting edge of public health research... [Marmot] transformed the health establishment's thinking about the link between status and health.” ―The New York Times

“Shows that all societies demonstrate the same truth... social status provides two crucial props to good health and personal well-being.” ―The Observer (London)

“A wake-up call to those of us in the wealthy industrialized world who think our social status has no impact on our health. [The Status Syndrome]... will make readers look at the rat race in a whole new way.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Michael Marmot is a world-class scientist who writes deeply about matters of life and death with the grace of a world-class essayist. Anyone concerned about the health of our society should read this book.” ―Robert D. Putnam, author of Bowling Alone and Better Together

About the Author

Sir Michael Marmot is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at UCL, a leading intellectual both in the UK and globally. He will take up the Lown visiting professorship at Harvard in 2015. He chaired the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2005-8), his recommendations have been adopted by the World Health Assembly and taken up by many countries and the British Government appointed him to conduct a review of social determinants and health inequalities. The Marmot Review and its recommendations are now being implemented in three-quarters of local authorities in England. He previously published Status Syndrome in 2004.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Owl Books; 36094th edition (September 5, 2005)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805078541
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805078541
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 177 ratings

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M. G. Marmot

M. G. Marmot

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
177 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

P. Name
5.0 out of 5 stars the better their odds of a long and healthy life
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
This very well written book addresses 4 hugely important issues, one each of fact, theory, policy and morality. A MATTER of FACT: The higher an individual's socio-economic status, the better their odds of a long and healthy life. Among populations, health and longevity rise as socio-economic status rise, and fall as it falls. "In other words, health follows a social gradient. I call this the status syndrome (Marmot:1)." The status syndrome is scientifically established fact and Marmot lays out an accessible summary of the scientific case based on decades of research from around the world. A QUESTION of THEORY: The status syndrome is fact: the theoretic question it raises is, WHY? Marmot advances an elegant and plausible theory for WHY socio-economic status so greatly affects health: socio-economic status affects (1) people's control over their lives AND (2) the density of their social networks, both of which, in turn, affect people's levels of chronic stress, which, in turn, greatly affects health & longevity. Most of "The Status Syndrome" is dedicated to the preceding issues. Towards the end Marmot address issues of policy and morality. POSSIBILITIES of POLICY: given the preceding, *IF* societies could reduce socio-economic inequality *THEN* they could reduce health inequality -- and *IF* they could eliminate the former *THEN* they could reduce whatever degree of the later is part of the status syndrome (not all health inequality is). The POLICY question raised by the epidemiological science is, to what degree CAN societies reduce socio-economic inequality? And this question has two dimensions: first, is it possible to design policies that WOULD reduce, if not eliminate, socio-economic inequality (at acceptable costs) AND, if so, would it be possible to institute such policies in, say, the United States, where inequality is rapidly increasing. From a pioneering researcher and theorist Marmot has dedicated himself of late to political lobbying for programs that will ameliorate the status syndrome: he says that he knows that eliminating inequality is not on. Finally, there is a moral question in this book: assuming that we CAN reduce or eliminate the status syndrome, SHOULD we do so? Marmot takes the answer to this question as all but self-evident.
4 people found this helpful
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Kevin Georgison
5.0 out of 5 stars Investing in a child's early years reduces the need for jails and elderly heath care
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
It's been years since I read the book but it was one that I had a hard time putting down. Since it's been so long the only thing I remember now is that the first twenty years of life shows up in health as a person passes forty years of age. What stressors (psychological, economic, etc) you were exposed to in the first twenty years has a large effect on your health when you are older. I suspect that it is because of how the brain and immune system are tightly integrated.

This says a lot about keeping a family together and may relate a lot to Charle's Murray's current concerns about society depending too much on the government. Having such a welfare support system may actually be encouraging single parent hood which is not healthy for the upbringing of the child -- more is needed than just money.
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Dan
4.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking; but be wary of the non-medical parts
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
Where Dr. Marmot discusses the medicine, he is clear, well-argued, and thought-provoking. The evidence certainly makes one think about the effects low-level, persistent stress can have on us all and highlights how intertwined our bodies and health are with the wider world. This alone is worth four stars.

Since the book largely focuses on the medicine, I can only withhold one star for the policy parts. However, pretty much any point at which the book steers into policy, it’s not worth reading.

Bafflingly, he barely even pays lip service to human nature and its effects on poverty and subsequently policy, nor does he pay much mind to whether the policies he espouses have any evidence to support their efficacy. I won’t ramble on refuting things point-by-point, but anyone with a bit of background in economics or public policy should be able to find several issues with little effort.

As someone with scientific curiosity and an appreciation for those who attempt to tackle the complexities of human health, I enjoyed 90% of this book. As a career policy analyst with a background in economics, I found the other 10% naive, if not outright disingenuous.
3 people found this helpful
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......
5.0 out of 5 stars Really cool - to help you live longer
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2010
Verified Purchase
I got this book ONLY to read the research. Often it is true, that the truth, is not logical. ... or at least counter-intuitive. I ignored all the social ramblings. This book is WELL RESEARCHED. It seems status DOES predict life expectancy! Very interesting research and conclusions. Definitely motivating.

... I'll live longer if I get my PhD.

More control/autonomy in one's live = more life. Who knew!

Great book! Worth the read - or even a skim.
6 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars This text book arrived in great condition however
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
This text book arrived in great condition however, the text book was no longer required, so, I returned it.
Thanks

Elie Jackson, Jr.
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Lisa DeAngelo
3.0 out of 5 stars fit my expectations, bought for college son but professor not accept book for class, great price, good condition. thank you
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013
Verified Purchase
Book fit my expectations, bought for college son but professor not accept book for class, great price, good condition. thank you
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jenn
5.0 out of 5 stars Motivating to change life for better!
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2011
Verified Purchase
This book educates and motivates you by introducing how lifestyle affects health and wealth. It personifies negatives and illustrates how to change your social standing for the better. Real life examples make this easy to understand and actually quite enjoyable!
2 people found this helpful
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Amelia
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. A must-read for anyone in public health
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2017
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Excellent book. A must-read for anyone in public health.
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Top reviews from other countries

Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Great perspective on social science and social policy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Found what I wanted from Michael Marmot's text and it's got a well explained perspective on health inequalities and the social gradient
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Alaa Kouzom
5.0 out of 5 stars Status Syndrome
Reviewed in Sweden on January 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
Such an amazing book that everyone should read during their lifetime.
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Dr Bharat Panchal
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful
Reviewed in India on November 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Very informative and useful.
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Martin Meads
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for everyone
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
Want to know where you fit in society? Read this book - Some stark reminders here of how our society is hardly harmonious. We all know this yet this book puts it more into perspective. I have used many extracts for lectures - all I can say is thanks for making some of my own observations more relevant
2 people found this helpful
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D I Ogenes
5.0 out of 5 stars A giant of a book and intellectual thought by a very individual person.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2014
Verified Purchase
Michael Marmot is way ahead of our time and place, and deserves all our attention if health is not to be terminally consigned to economic exploitation by all those who turn it into zero-sum games -where the patient's loss is medicalised gain- for profit, position, or power, or indeed all three. You simply must read this.
5 people found this helpful
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