A recent study led by University College London (UCL) researchers has found that individuals with higher socioeconomic status, such as those with high incomes or education levels, tend to have a reduced risk of age-related diseases and show fewer signs of biological aging compared to their peers of the same age. The study, published in Nature Medicine, highlights the impact of social inequalities on the aging process.
The researchers analyzed data from four large longitudinal studies, including over 800,000 participants, to investigate the relationship between social advantage and biological aging. They found that individuals with more social advantages had lower levels of proteins in their blood that are associated with the aging process, particularly those related to inflammation and the immune system.
Lead author Professor Mika Kivimaki emphasized the significant biological evidence linking social conditions to the pace of aging. He stated, “For decades, we’ve known that social advantage is linked to better health, but our findings suggest it may also slow down the aging process itself.” The study underscores the possibility of achieving healthy aging for society as a whole, especially for those with favorable socioeconomic conditions.
The research measured markers of aging through diagnoses of age-related diseases and advanced plasma proteomics, which assesses the levels of circulating proteins in the blood. The results showed that social advantage was associated with a lower risk of age-related diseases, with individuals of lower socioeconomic status facing a 20% higher risk compared to those with higher status.
Moreover, the study identified specific plasma proteins affected by socioeconomic advantage, including those that regulate inflammatory and cellular stress responses. The researchers estimated that up to 39% of the reduced disease risk in socioeconomically advantaged individuals could be attributed to these proteins.
The study also revealed that improvements in social standing over time could positively impact biological aging. Individuals who transitioned from low levels of education to higher social advantage later in life showed more favorable protein concentrations compared to those whose circumstances did not change.
While the exact mechanisms through which social factors influence biological aging require further investigation, the researchers suggested factors such as stress, mental health, environmental exposures, and lifestyle behaviors could play a role. Additionally, a related study by the same researchers proposed that a blood test assessing organ aging could predict the risk of age-related diseases in advance, facilitating preventive interventions for individuals at higher risk.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the importance of addressing social inequalities to promote healthy aging across populations. Understanding the interplay between social factors and biological aging could pave the way for targeted interventions to improve health outcomes as individuals age.
For more information, the study titled “Social disadvantage accelerates aging” can be accessed in Nature Medicine. This research was conducted by a team of scientists from various institutions, including University College London.
