in fact health status is consistently ranked as one of the most valued aspects in people s lives together with having a job in surveys conducted in oecd countries health status also has instrumental value because it enhances people s opportunities to participate in education and training programmes and in the labour market as well as to have good social relationships at the societal level countries with better overall health outcomes also display higher average income and wealth higher employment rates higher rates of participation in political activities higher social network support and higher overall life satisfaction