A groundbreaking new study has revealed that individuals from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds may experience accelerated biological ageing, increasing their risk for age-related diseases. The study, conducted by researchers in the UK, suggests that those with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to show signs of ageing earlier compared to their more privileged counterparts.
The study analyzed various cohorts of patients, examining 83 diseases linked to ageing, such as osteoporosis, cataracts, enlarged prostate, and more. Blood tests were conducted to measure the proteins circulating in the blood plasma, offering a deeper understanding of biological ageing. The researchers also investigated factors such as education level, neighbourhood quality, and household income to assess the impact of socioeconomic background on ageing.
According to the findings, published in Nature Medicine, people from disadvantaged backgrounds are 20% more likely to develop age-related diseases compared to those with higher socioeconomic status. In fact, for certain diseases, the risk is even more striking—those in the most disadvantaged groups have twice the risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.
“For decades, it’s been clear that social advantage is linked to better health,” said Professor Mika Kivimaki from University College London (UCL), lead author of the study. “Our findings suggest that it may also slow down the ageing process itself, offering a healthier, longer life for those with better socioeconomic conditions.”
The study highlights that healthy ageing is not an unattainable goal—it’s already a reality for those in more privileged socioeconomic situations, indicating that improvements in social conditions could benefit society as a whole.
The researchers also focused on the proteins found in the blood plasma, which offer important clues about biological ageing. “Ageing is reflected in the makeup of proteins in our blood, which regulate various biological processes related to ageing,” said Professor Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University, a co-author of the study. These proteins play a key role in regulating inflammation and cellular stress, both of which are linked to the ageing process.
The study found that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds exhibited less favourable protein profiles, suggesting that their biological ageing is impacted by socioeconomic status. However, those who experienced upward social mobility—such as individuals who moved from low education to higher social status—showed more favourable protein profiles, suggesting that social mobility can have a positive influence on biological ageing.
While the study provides important insights into the link between socioeconomic status and biological ageing, the researchers note that these findings are observational and cannot establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Factors such as stress, smoking, diet, exercise, and access to healthcare likely contribute to these disparities.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes that addressing social inequalities and promoting upward social mobility could play a crucial role in slowing down the ageing process and improving health outcomes for disadvantaged populations.
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