In a groundbreaking intersection of educational research and the science of aging, a recent study conducted by Columbia University has brought to light a fascinating link between educational attainment and the biological processes of aging. Drawing on extensive data from the venerable Framingham Heart Study and applying the innovative DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, researchers have uncovered compelling evidence that higher levels of education are intricately linked with a slower pace of biological aging, thereby offering promising pathways toward longevity.
The Framingham Heart Study, an enduring research project initiated in 1948 that now encompasses data spanning three generations, served as the foundation for this insightful analysis. The revelations of this study, which have been meticulously documented in JAMA Network Open, underscore the significant impact that educational mobility—defined as the attainment of educational levels surpassing those of one’s parents—has on slowing the biological clock and enhancing lifespan.
“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,” elucidated Daniel Belsky, PhD, an associate professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School and the Aging Center, and the senior author of the paper. This statement captures the core motivation behind the study: to demystify the mechanisms through which education exerts its influence on longevity and to explore the potential of educational interventions as catalysts for healthier, extended lives.
The researchers leveraged the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, a pioneering instrument they developed, which assesses the pace of aging by analyzing chemical tags on DNA found in white blood cells. This clock functions as a biological speedometer, quantifying the rate of age-related changes in the body. Remarkably, the study’s findings indicate that an additional two years of education can decelerate the aging process by 2-3%. This reduction in the pace of aging correlates with a roughly 10% lower risk of mortality in the Framingham Heart Study population, as revealed in prior research conducted by Belsky concerning the association between DunedinPACE and mortality risk.
