And This Week In Wellness a study of 7000 US adults over the age of 50 has shown that those with the lowest sense of life purpose were twice as likely to die in the following 5 years, even when adjusting for socio-economic status, health characteristics and psychological well-being.
In a confirmation of findings from previous studies this 2019 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It used data from The Health and Retirement Study where participants filled in a questionnaire to rank their life purpose, amongst many other things. These same participants were then followed up 5 years later. According to the study heart, circulatory, blood and digestive tract conditions seemed to be especially related to life purpose.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2734064
https://www.bluezones.com/2019/05/news-huge-study-confirms-purpose-and-meaning-add-years-to-life/