scholarly journals Neighborhood Characteristics and Accelerated Aging: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 246-246
Author(s):  
Haena Lee ◽  
Jennifer Ailshire ◽  
Eileen Crimmins
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Biological Age ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Summary Measure ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract An individual’s rate of aging directly impacts one’s functioning, morbidity and mortality. Identifying factors related to accelerated or delayed aging may provide important information for potential areas of intervention. While race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and behavior characteristics have been linked to biological aging, it is unclear whether neighborhood characteristics are associated with one’s rate of aging. We use a novel aging measure, Expanded Biological Age, from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study Venous Blood Study (HRS-VBS) to investigate whether individuals living with unfavorable neighborhood conditions are experiencing accelerated aging compared to those living in more favorable conditions. We constructed a summary measure of expanded biological age using 22 novel biomarkers in the HRS-VBS; we then regressed the summary measure on age and used the residuals as indicators of accelerated or delayed aging. We measured neighborhood physical disorder, presence of green space, and perceived social cohesion using the 2016 HRS Interviewer Observation data and Self-Administered Questionnaire. We find that individuals living with higher levels of neighborhood physical disorder appeared 1.05 years older biologically than the average for those of the same chronological age. Individuals living near green space including parks were 1.5 years younger biologically than expected based on their chronological age though this association was marginally significant. We did not find an association between neighborhood social cohesion and accelerated aging. This implies that living with severe neighborhood disorder, characterized by presence of disrepair, trash/litter, and abandoned structures, and living near green space, play an important role in who lives longer.

scholarly journals Neighborhood physical disorder, social cohesion, and insomnia: results from participants over age 50 in the Health and Retirement Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenis P. Chen-Edinboro ◽  
Christopher N. Kaufmann ◽  
Jura L. Augustinavicius ◽  
Ramin Mojtabai ◽  
Jeanine M. Parisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Cohesion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Falling Asleep ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Neighborhood Level

ABSTRACTBackground:We determined the association between neighborhood socio-environmental factors and insomnia symptoms in a nationally representative sample of US adults aged >50 years.Methods:Data were analyzed from two waves (2006 and 2010) of the Health and Retirement Study using 7,231 community-dwelling participants (3,054 men and 4,177 women) in the United States. Primary predictors were neighborhood physical disorder (e.g. vandalism/graffiti, feeling safe alone after dark, and cleanliness) and social cohesion (e.g. friendliness of people, availability of help when needed, etc.); outcomes were insomnia symptoms (trouble falling asleep, night awakenings, waking too early, and feeling unrested).Results:After adjustment for age, income, race, education, sex, chronic diseases, body mass index, depressive symptoms, smoking, and alcohol consumption, each one-unit increase in neighborhood physical disorder was associated with a greater odds of trouble falling asleep (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–1.14), waking too early (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.10), and, in adults aged ≥69 years (adjusting for all variables above except age), feeling unrested in the morning (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02–1.22 in 2006). Each one-unit increase in lower social cohesion was associated with a greater odds of trouble falling asleep (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.11) and feeling unrested (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.04–1.15).Conclusions:Neighborhood-level factors of physical disorder and social cohesion are associated with insomnia symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. Neighborhood-level factors may affect sleep, and consequently health, in our aging population.

scholarly journals COVID-19 severity is predicted by earlier evidence of accelerated aging

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Ling Kuo ◽  
Luke C. Pilling ◽  
Janice L Atkins ◽  
Jane AH Masoli ◽  
João Delgado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Biological Age ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Biological Aging ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Uk

AbstractWith no known treatments or vaccine, COVID-19 presents a major threat, particularly to older adults, who account for the majority of severe illness and deaths. The age-related susceptibility is partly explained by increased comorbidities including dementia and type II diabetes [1]. While it is unclear why these diseases predispose risk, we hypothesize that increased biological age, rather than chronological age, may be driving disease-related trends in COVID-19 severity with age. To test this hypothesis, we applied our previously validated biological age measure (PhenoAge) [2] composed of chronological age and nine clinical chemistry biomarkers to data of 347,751 participants from a large community cohort in the United Kingdom (UK Biobank), recruited between 2006 and 2010. Other data included disease diagnoses (to 2017), mortality data (to 2020), and the UK national COVID-19 test results (to May 31, 2020) [3]. Accelerated aging 10-14 years prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with test positivity (OR=1.15 per 5-year acceleration, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.21, p=3.2×10−6) and all-cause mortality with test-confirmed COVID-19 (OR=1.25, per 5-year acceleration, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.44, p=0.002) after adjustment for demographics including current chronological age and pre-existing diseases or conditions. The corresponding areas under the curves were 0.669 and 0.803, respectively. Biological aging, as captured by PhenoAge, is a better predictor of COVID-19 severity than chronological age, and may inform risk stratification initiatives, while also elucidating possible underlying mechanisms, particularly those related to inflammaging.

scholarly journals How Does Subjective Age Get “Under the Skin”? The Association Between Biomarkers and Feeling Older or Younger Than One’s Age: The Health and Retirement Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharat Thyagarajan ◽  
Nathan Shippee ◽  
Helen Parsons ◽  
Sithara Vivek ◽  
Eileen Crimmins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Group ◽  
Inflammatory Marker ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Reference Category ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Background and Objectives Though subjective age is a well-recognized risk factor for several chronic diseases, the biological basis for these associations remains poorly understood. Research Design and Methods We used new comprehensive biomarker data from the 2016 wave of the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to evaluate the association between biomarker levels and self-reported subjective age in a subset of 3,740 HRS participants who provided a blood sample. We measured biomarkers in seven biological domains associated with aging: inflammation, glycemia, lipids, liver function, endocrine function, renal function, and cardiac function. The primary outcome was the age discrepancy score (subjective age − chronological age) categorized as those who felt younger, older, or the same as their chronological age (reference group). Analyses adjusted for comprehensive psychosocial factors (chronic stress index, depression score), demographic factors (race, sex, body mass index, marital status, physical activity), and prevalence of chronic health conditions (comorbidity index). Results The prevalence of clinically relevant reduced levels of albumin concentrations was lower in those who felt younger (8.8% vs. 16.0%; p = .006) and higher in those who felt older (20.4% vs. 16.0%; p = .03) when compared with the reference category. The prevalence of clinically significant elevation in liver enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase was also significantly lower among those who felt younger (7.1% vs. 8.6%; p = .04) when compared with the reference category. Prevalence of clinically elevated levels in cystatin C was also lower among those who felt younger when compared with the reference category (50.0% vs. 59.1%; p = .04). There was no association between lipids, glucose, or C-reactive protein (inflammatory marker) and subjective age categories. Discussion and Implications These results suggest that people who feel younger may have favorable biomarker profiles and as a result may have lower prevalence of age-related diseases when compared with those who feel older or those who feel the same as their chronological age.

scholarly journals Is perceived neighbourhood physical disorder associated with muscle strength in middle aged and older men and women? Findings from the US health and retirement study

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate A Duchowny ◽  
M Maria Glymour ◽  
Peggy M Cawthon
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Retirement Study ◽  
Neighbourhood Disorder

BackgroundResearch documenting the relevance of neighbourhoods for the health of older adults has focused on global physical functioning outcomes, such as disability, rather than physiologic impairments that lead to disability. Muscle weakness is an age-related impairment and a central mechanism of disability. Evaluating neighbourhood effects on muscle weakness may offer insight into physiologic mechanisms of disability. We examined the association between perceived neighbourhood disorder and muscle strength in a nationally representative sample of US adults aged 51+.MethodsAmong 11 277 participants (57% women; mean age: 66.6 years) in the Health and Retirement Study (2012–2014), we investigated whether self-reported neighbourhood physical disorder (1–7 scale, mean=2.61, SD=1.45); presence of vandalism/graffiti, litter, deserted houses, feeling safe walking alone) was associated with mean hand grip strength using linear regression models with sampling weights. We tested whether the association between neighbourhood disorder and grip strength differed by age and gender.ResultsAfter adjusting for demographic characteristics, marital status, education and household wealth, residence in neighbourhoods with high perceived physical neighbourhood disorder was associated with lower muscle strength for men (β=−1.95 kg; 95% CI, 2.68 to –1.22) and to a lesser extent, for women (β=−0.64 kg, 95% CI, −1.11 to –0.19), (p for interaction <0.0001). For both men and women, associations between neighbourhood physical disorder and grip strength were more adverse among the middle aged (51–64 years) than for older (ages 65+) adults.DiscussionPerceived neighbourhood disorder was associated with lower muscle strength. Future studies should more rigorously evaluate causality and evaluate potential interventions.

scholarly journals ANXIETY AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS MEDIATE THE LINK BETWEEN PERCEIVED NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTERISTICS AND COGNITION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S64-S64
Author(s):  
Neika Sharifian ◽  
Neika Sharifian ◽  
Afsara B Zaheed ◽  
Briana N Spivey ◽  
Laura B Zahodne
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Neighborhood Context ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics

Abstract Although prior research has linked perceived neighborhood characteristics to cognition, scant research has investigated underlying mechanisms regarding how neighborhood characteristics impact cognition. One pathway, in particular, may be through mental health outcomes. Poorer neighborhood characteristics have been independently linked to greater depressive and anxiety symptoms, which may, in turn, be risk factors for cognitive decline in later life. The current study examined direct and indirect effects of perceived neighborhood characteristics (social cohesion, physical disorder) on cognitive functioning (episodic memory, executive functioning) through anxiety and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010–2014). Results revealed that higher social cohesion was associated with better memory and executive functioning through lower anxiety and depressive symptoms. Physical disorder was associated with worse episodic memory and executive functioning through greater anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of neighborhood context for promoting both mental and cognitive health outcomes in older adulthood.

scholarly journals Cancer Treatment-Induced Accelerated Aging in Cancer Survivors: Biology and Assessment

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 427
Author(s):  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Anna Prizment ◽  
Bharat Thyagarajan ◽  
Anne Blaes
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Biological Age ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Biomarkers Of Aging ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Rapid improvements in cancer survival led to the realization that many modalities used to treat or control cancer may cause accelerated aging in cancer survivors. Clinically, “accelerated aging” phenotypes in cancer survivors include secondary cancers, frailty, chronic organ dysfunction, and cognitive impairment, all of which can impact long-term health and quality of life in cancer survivors. The treatment-induced accelerated aging in cancer survivors could be explained by telomere attrition, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, DNA damage, and epigenetic alterations. Several aging clocks and biomarkers of aging have been proposed to be potentially useful in estimating biological age, which can provide specific information about how old an individual is biologically independent of chronological age. Measuring biological age in cancer survivors may be important for two reasons. First, it can better predict the risk of cancer treatment-related comorbidities than chronological age. Second, biological age may provide additional value in evaluating the effects of treatments and personalizing cancer therapies to maximize efficacy of treatment. A deeper understanding of treatment-induced accelerated aging in individuals with cancer may lead to novel strategies that reduce the accelerated aging and improve the quality of life in cancer survivors.

Perceived Neighborhood and Walking Among Older Brazilian Adults Living in Urban Areas: A National Study (ELSI-Brazil)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Bruno de Souza Moreira ◽  
Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade ◽  
Luciana de Souza Braga ◽  
Alessandra de Carvalho Bastone ◽  
Juliana Lustosa Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Disorder ◽  
National Study ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional

The study goal was to examine the association between perceived neighborhood characteristics and walking in urban older adults in Brazil. A cross-sectional study including 4,027 older adults from the baseline of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil) was performed. Walking was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Neighborhood characteristics were questions about physical disorder, noise pollution, safety, violence, social cohesion, services, concerns with community mobility, and pleasantness. Multinomial logistic regression was used. Concern about taking the bus, subway, or train was inversely associated with walking for men. Violence (victim of theft, robbery, or had home broken into) and social cohesion (trust in neighbors) were positively and inversely associated with walking for women, respectively. A significant interaction term between social cohesion and number of chronic diseases was observed for women. These findings demonstrate the need for sex-specific interventions and policies to increase the walking levels among older Brazilian adults.

Perceived Neighborhood Environment Associated With Older Adults’ Walking and Positive Affect: Results From the Health and Retirement Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sunwoo Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Neighborhood Social Cohesion ◽  
Walking Activity ◽  
Perceived Neighborhood Environment ◽  
Retirement Study

The current study examined how a perceived neighborhood environment was associated with older adults’ walking activity and the experience of positive affect. Study sample comprised 10,700 older adults, aged 65+, sampled from the Health and Retirement Study 2014–2015 in the United States. Results indicated that neighborhood social cohesion was significantly predicting older adults’ walking and positive affect. It was also revealed that walking engagement significantly contributed to the measure of positive affect. However, perceived neighborhood physical disorder did not account for additional variance in walking and positive affect. Final structural model involved three latent factors—neighborhood social cohesion, walking, and positive affect—and the goodness-of-fit indices of the model indicated an acceptable fit to the sample data. Public health and physical activity intervention in the context of neighborhood environment should facilitate social integration and informal social support that the neighborhood creates.

scholarly journals Lifespan adversity and later adulthood telomere length in the nationally representative US Health and Retirement Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (42) ◽  
pp. E6335-E6342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli Puterman ◽  
Alison Gemmill ◽  
Deborah Karasek ◽  
David Weir ◽  
Nancy E. Adler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Childhood Adversity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Cellular Aging ◽  
Cell Aging ◽  
Health And Retirement Study ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Retirement Study

Stress over the lifespan is thought to promote accelerated aging and early disease. Telomere length is a marker of cell aging that appears to be one mediator of this relationship. Telomere length is associated with early adversity and with chronic stressors in adulthood in many studies. Although cumulative lifespan adversity should have bigger impacts than single events, it is also possible that adversity in childhood has larger effects on later life health than adult stressors, as suggested by models of biological embedding in early life. No studies have examined the individual vs. cumulative effects of childhood and adulthood adversities on adult telomere length. Here, we examined the relationship between cumulative childhood and adulthood adversity, adding up a range of severe financial, traumatic, and social exposures, as well as comparing them to each other, in relation to salivary telomere length. We examined 4,598 men and women from the US Health and Retirement Study. Single adversities tended to have nonsignificant relations with telomere length. In adjusted models, lifetime cumulative adversity predicted 6% greater odds of shorter telomere length. This result was mainly due to childhood adversity. In adjusted models for cumulative childhood adversity, the occurrence of each additional childhood event predicted 11% increased odds of having short telomeres. This result appeared mainly because of social/traumatic exposures rather than financial exposures. This study suggests that the shadow of childhood adversity may reach far into later adulthood in part through cellular aging.

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