Epigenetic aging has emerged as a significant biological pathway that connects neighborhood environments to health outcomes. This study, conducted by Jiang et al., aims to investigate the effects of neighborhood amenities, health services, and built infrastructure on epigenetic aging.
Methods
The research utilized data from 3,786 participants in the Health and Retirement Study 2016 Venus Blood Study. Epigenetic aging was assessed using various biological clocks, including Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge2, and DunedinPACE. These measures were correlated with 13 Census-tract indicators that reflect the availability of local amenities, health services, and built infrastructure, sourced from the National Neighborhood Data Archive.
Results
The findings revealed that a greater availability of neighborhood amenities, health services, and built infrastructure was associated with slower epigenetic age acceleration. Notably, these relationships were significant for the Horvath and Hannum clocks. The study also indicated that the positive impact of built infrastructure on epigenetic aging was mediated by increased physical activity.
Conclusion
This research suggests that enhancing local resources could be an effective strategy for promoting healthy aging by potentially slowing down epigenetic aging. The implications of these findings highlight the importance of place-based interventions aimed at improving neighborhood conditions.
What this study does not show
This study does not establish a direct causal relationship between neighborhood resources and epigenetic aging, nor does it provide evidence of health outcomes resulting from these associations.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: Established
- Clinical validity: Not established
- Clinical utility: Not established
The evidence is based on primary research involving human participants.