The paper explores the complex relationship between health and economic status, highlighting the bidirectional influence between the two. It discusses the strong association between health and economic status, particularly household wealth, and the debate over the direction of causation. Medical scientists often argue that socioeconomic status influences health, but recent theories emphasize long-term effects of early life factors, stress, and macro-societal factors. Economists, on the other hand, focus on how poor health affects economic resources, such as income and asset accumulation. The paper also examines how health influences economic status through changes in savings, wealth, and household income. It presents empirical evidence showing that health status is strongly correlated with wealth, with healthier individuals having significantly more wealth. The paper also discusses the impact of health on wealth, including the effects of medical costs, labor supply, and bequest intentions. It highlights the importance of considering both health and economic factors in understanding household behavior. The paper also reviews the Whitehall studies, which show a strong health gradient based on socioeconomic status, and the role of early life factors in shaping health outcomes. It concludes that the relationship between health and economic status is complex and requires further research to fully understand the mechanisms at play.The paper explores the complex relationship between health and economic status, highlighting the bidirectional influence between the two. It discusses the strong association between health and economic status, particularly household wealth, and the debate over the direction of causation. Medical scientists often argue that socioeconomic status influences health, but recent theories emphasize long-term effects of early life factors, stress, and macro-societal factors. Economists, on the other hand, focus on how poor health affects economic resources, such as income and asset accumulation. The paper also examines how health influences economic status through changes in savings, wealth, and household income. It presents empirical evidence showing that health status is strongly correlated with wealth, with healthier individuals having significantly more wealth. The paper also discusses the impact of health on wealth, including the effects of medical costs, labor supply, and bequest intentions. It highlights the importance of considering both health and economic factors in understanding household behavior. The paper also reviews the Whitehall studies, which show a strong health gradient based on socioeconomic status, and the role of early life factors in shaping health outcomes. It concludes that the relationship between health and economic status is complex and requires further research to fully understand the mechanisms at play.