It was thought that the general increase in people’s average income, with the consequent increase in financial resources to spend on one’s health, explained improvements in health and longevity seen in many countries. A huge international study that lasted 10 years establishes that, all factors equal, the single most important determinant for health and longevity is education. In particular the higher the level of women’s education and the lower the mortality, not only among women but also among their children. Education and income are directly connected making it seem that income and health are also directly connected. In brief, excluding extreme cases in terms of health it is better to be poor and educated than rich and uneducated. Until a few years ago infectious diseases were the primary cause of death. Today, it is chronic disease (diabetes, hypertension etc.) that prevails as a cause of morbidity. As the level of education is particularly useful in avoiding chronic disease (because we understand that there exists a connection between health and diet, physical activity, smoking, smog etc.) and is relatively less useful in anticipating infectious disease, we will have to point on education much more if we are to improve our health. In so doing we kill two birds with a stone.