Why Mimi and Not Rudolpho Dies

"Mimi and Rudolpho are both poor, in that neither has any money and both live in a freezing apartment, but it is no accident that it is she who dies, not he.... Poverty is more than a lack of money. He and his educated bohemian friends--poet, artist, musician, philosopher--are in control. They live the life they do by choice, in a way that the unfortunate embroiderer does not."

Michael Marmot, "The Status Syndrome"

His point: Not being in control of your life is linked with all sorts of health problems.