Higher Education Linked to Slower Aging and Longer Lifespan, Study Finds
Education has long been associated with various benefits, including improved job prospects and higher income. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University has discovered a new link between educational attainment and biological aging. The study, which utilized data from the Framingham Heart Study and the innovative DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, found that higher levels of education are associated with a slower pace of aging and a reduced risk of mortality.
The researchers analyzed data from participants in the Framingham Heart Study, an ongoing observational study that began in 1948. They found that individuals who achieved higher levels of education tended to age more slowly and live longer lives compared to those who did not achieve upward educational mobility. This connection between educational mobility and biological aging is groundbreaking and sheds light on the potential of educational interventions to promote healthy longevity.
“We’ve known for a long time that people who have higher levels of education tend to live longer lives. But there are a bunch of challenges in figuring out how that happens and, critically, whether interventions to promote educational attainment will contribute to healthy longevity,” explained Daniel Belsky, PhD, associate professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School and the Aging Center, and senior author of the paper.
To measure the pace of aging, the researchers used the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, an algorithm that analyzes genomic data collected by the Framingham Heart Study. The findings revealed that two additional years of schooling correlated with a 2-3% slower pace of aging. This slowdown in aging translated to a roughly 10% reduction in the risk of mortality.
DunedinPACE, developed by the Columbia researchers, functions as a speedometer for the aging process. It measures how fast or slow a person’s body is changing as they grow older by analyzing chemical tags on DNA known as DNA methylation marks. This innovative method provides a novel way to quantify the aging process and directly link educational attainment to biological aging rates.
The study also examined the impact of educational mobility on longevity. Upward educational mobility was significantly associated with healthier aging trajectories and a reduction in mortality risk. The researchers found that up to half of the educational gradient in mortality could be explained by the slower pace of aging among better-educated participants.
To address potential confounding factors, such as differences in family backgrounds and resources, the researchers focused on educational mobility and sibling comparisons. By comparing educational attainment between siblings, they were able to isolate the effects of education on aging. The results showed that siblings with higher educational mobility tended to have a slower pace of aging compared to their less educated siblings.
“Our findings support the hypothesis that interventions to promote educational attainment will slow the pace of biological aging and promote longevity,” stated Gloria Graf, a PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and first author of the study. However, the researchers emphasize the need for experimental evidence to confirm these findings.
The implications of this study are significant. It highlights education as not just a socio-economic benefit but also a key factor in biological resilience and lifespan extension. By investing in education and promoting upward educational mobility, individuals may be able to slow down the aging process and increase their chances of living longer, healthier lives.
Overall, this groundbreaking research provides robust evidence of the deep impact of education on our biological makeup. It underscores the importance of education in shaping our health trajectories and mortality risks. As we continue to explore the connections between education and various aspects of life, this study opens up new avenues for interventions and policies aimed at promoting healthy aging and longevity.
