Health of Mind and Bodyillnesses they already had, people in the least happy quarter
were three times more likely to die in the next eight years
than people in the happiest quarter.^25
The effect of happiness on physical health is particularly
important in later life, but the two- way interaction of phys-
ical health and happiness is an important story through-
out life. However our analysis focuses mainly on the effect
of health on happiness, because happiness is our central
outcome.
Conclusion
To conclude, both physical and mental health are hugely
important for an enjoyable life. Illnesses of either type can
be devastating. But mental illness explains more of the mis-
ery in our society than physical illness does, and more than
either poverty or unemployment. It also explains more of
the variation in life- satisfaction. Moreover, mental illness in
one generation is frequently transmitted to the next.