A study published in Nature Medicine analyzed data from nearly half a million UK Biobank participants and found that environmental factors explained 17% of mortality risk variation compared to less than 2% from genetic predisposition. Researchers identified 25 independent environmental factors influencing mortality and biological aging, with smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and living conditions having the greatest impact. Using a novel “aging clock” based on blood protein levels, they demonstrated that early life exposures could influence aging and premature death decades later. Overall, environmental exposures had stronger effects on diseases of the lung, heart, and liver, while genetic factors were more dominant for dementias and breast cancer. These findings suggest significant opportunities to reduce chronic disease risks through individual choices and policies addressing socioeconomic conditions, smoking reduction, and physical activity promotion.
Image credit: Wand_Prapan / iStock