Epigenetic Entropy, Socioeconomic Differences, And Health And Lifespan In The Women’S Health Initiative
Our bodies age at different rates, and this process is influenced by changes in how our genes are regulated, specifically through something called DNA methylation. Think of DNA methylation as tiny “on/off” switches or “tags” on our DNA that don’t change the genetic code itself but can alter how our genes function. As we get older, these tags can become more disorganized, a process sometimes referred to as “epigenetic entropy.”
Recent research has shed light on a fascinating connection between these biological aging processes and socioeconomic factors like income and education. It turns out that how much money someone earns or their level of schooling can be consistently associated with the patterns of these DNA tags and the overall pace at which their body is aging.
A key finding is that a faster biological aging rate, as measured by specific epigenetic markers, is linked to a higher risk of mortality. Interestingly, while higher income was associated with fewer age-related changes in DNA methylation for some groups, this protective effect was less pronounced in others, particularly among Black and Hispanic women, who on average showed more signs of an aged epigenome.
This work suggests that societal disparities, such as differences in socioeconomic status, might not just affect our lives socially but could also influence our health and lifespan through these fundamental biological mechanisms. Understanding these connections could pave the way for new strategies to address health inequalities.
Source: link to paper