An international team of scientists from 40 countries has discovered that the pace of human aging is significantly influenced not only by lifestyle and health but also by environmental conditions, the degree of societal inequality, and the robustness of democratic governance. These significant findings, derived from a large-scale study involving 161,981 participants, have been published in the journal Nature Medicine.
The researchers employed the concept of the `exposome,` defined as the comprehensive sum of physical, social, and political elements impacting the human body. Leveraging artificial intelligence, they determined `biopredicted age` – a metric representing the discrepancy between an individual`s chronological age and the age predicted by their health markers, cognitive function (memory), educational attainment, and biometric data like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The study revealed that in nations characterized by high air pollution, pronounced social disparities, and less robust democratic frameworks, individuals tend to experience accelerated aging. Furthermore, the likelihood of cognitive decline and diminished daily functional capacity is elevated in such environments.
The most favorable aging indicators were observed in various European countries, whereas the most adverse conditions were noted in Egypt and South Africa. Even within Europe, distinct variations exist, with Eastern and Southern regions showing a more rapid aging process. The researchers underscore that accelerated aging is more than a mere statistical figure; individuals exhibiting a significant discrepancy between their biological and chronological ages experience a faster decline in memory and daily living skills.
The study`s authors propose that aging is not solely an intrinsic biological process but also a direct manifestation of the environment one inhabits. They advocate for concerted efforts to combat air pollution, mitigate social inequality, and reinforce democratic principles as crucial steps to decelerate aging and extend the healthy lifespan of populations globally.
