This study investigates the relationship between residential contexts and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) among older Black and White Americans, utilizing data from the Health and Retirement Study conducted between 2010 and 2016. EAA is considered a significant biomarker of premature aging, and understanding its disparities is crucial for addressing health inequalities.
The authors, DeAngelis et al., analyzed data from 3,187 non-Hispanic Black and White older adults, with a mean age of 69, who provided venous blood samples in 2016. The study employed multigroup structural equation modeling to examine the connections between EAA—measured through GrimAge, PhenoAge, and DunedinPoAm38 clocks—and various features of residential contexts, including racial clustering, air pollution, greenspace, household incomes, and perceived disorder.
Key Findings
- White respondents residing in areas with a high concentration of other White residents exhibited lower EAA compared to those in less predominantly White neighborhoods.
- Approximately 25% of the association between racial clustering and EAA among White participants was attributed to higher household incomes in predominantly White areas.
- No significant relationships were found between residential contexts and EAA for Black participants, suggesting a lack of similar protective factors in their environments.
The findings underscore the concept of concentrated privilege in predominantly White neighborhoods, which may contribute to health and aging disparities between racial groups. The authors emphasize the need for further research to explore these dynamics and their implications for public health.
What this study does not show
This study does not establish causation between residential context and epigenetic age acceleration, nor does it provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the observed disparities.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: Established
- Clinical validity: Not established
- Clinical utility: Not established
The evidence is based on primary research involving human participants.