Recent research challenges what many believe about aging and lifespan. It turns out that lifestyle choices and living conditions have a much larger impact on how long we live than our genes. A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that environmental factors account for 17% of the risk of early death, while genetic factors contribute less than 2%.
Researchers looked at data from nearly half a million people in the UK Biobank. They investigated 164 environmental factors and genetic risks for 22 diseases. This is one of the most thorough studies on how our surroundings and lifestyle choices affect aging and the risk of dying prematurely.
Some of the key environmental factors that impact how we age include smoking, socioeconomic status, and physical activity. Smoking stood out as the biggest risk factor, linked to 21 diseases. Things like income and home ownership affected 19 diseases, and how active someone is played a role in 17 different health issues.
Professor Cornelia van Duijn from Oxford Population Health, who helped lead the study, said, “Our research shows how much health can be influenced by changes we can make, whether at an individual level or through better policies.”
The study also highlighted how early life experiences matter a lot. Body weight at age 10 and whether a mother smoked during pregnancy can affect aging and health risks decades later. This means that environmental influences begin early in life, but there are still plenty of chances for prevention.
When looking at specific diseases, environmental and genetic factors had different effects. Environmental issues were more closely related to lung, heart, and liver diseases, while genetics played a more significant role in conditions like dementia and breast cancer.
Professor Bryan Williams, from the British Heart Foundation, commented, “Your background shouldn’t decide if you get to live a long, healthy life. Unfortunately, too many people experience this.”
The researchers developed a novel “aging clock” that uses blood protein levels to track aging. This tool has been validated in studies from countries like China and Finland and helped connect environmental factors to biological aging.
Dr. Austin Argentieri, the lead author, emphasized how their approach allowed for a clear understanding of how the environment and genetics contribute to aging. “This is the most complete picture we have of the lifestyle factors that drive aging and premature death,” he said.
While each environmental factor may have a small impact on life span, together they make a big difference. This suggests that focusing on multiple factors could greatly enhance public health.
This study paves the way for better public health strategies and changes in policies. It shows that people can help shape their aging journey through lifestyle changes, no matter their genetic background.
The research involved a partnership between Oxford Population Health and various institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
