Subjective Life Expectancy and Health Behaviors Among STD Clinic Patients

Objectives: To examine whether people who expect to live longer engage in healthier behaviors relative to people who expect to live shorter lives. Methods: Patients (994 black Americans, 373 white Americans) from a publicly funded clinic estimated their expected survival age and reported their health behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, and drug use; sexual behaviors; physical activity; and sleep). Results: Subjective life expectancy (SLE) was a significant predictor of health behavior for both men and women. Race moderated the SLE-health behavior relation but only for alcohol and tobacco use. Conclusions: Future research should explore the potential health benefits of shifting SLE from a more limited to an expansive perspective.