Sudden wealth no guarantee of health

Ever daydreamed about winning the lottery? You probably imagined a life of financial comfort and good health. But research suggests that such fantasies are often just that.

Real lottery winners are not guaranteed either better health or even long-term financial security, say the economists behind two new studies. And amongst UK lottery winners, the problem seems to originate in the pub.

Andrew Clark and Bénédicte Apouey of the Paris School of Economics analysed the British Household Panel Survey, which includes data on around 8000 people who won the lottery between 1994 and 2005.

They found that those who won more money received a bigger boost to their mental well-being, but overall health did not improve.

That may be because winners smoked and drank more after receiving their prize. “Lottery wins might not be good for your physical health,” says Clark, who is preparing his findings for publication. “You party too much.”