A study published in Nature Medicine highlights the significant impact of environmental factors on health and premature death compared to genetic predisposition. The research found that 17% of the variation in risk of death was explained by environmental factors, while less than 2% was explained by genetics. Factors such as smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity, and living conditions had a major impact on premature death and biological aging.
Smoking was associated with 21 diseases, socioeconomic factors with 19 diseases, and physical activity with 17 diseases. Early life exposures like body weight at 10 years and maternal smoking at birth also influenced aging and risk of premature death many years later. Environmental exposures had a greater effect on diseases of the heart, lung, and liver, while genetic risk dominated for dementias and breast cancer.
The study emphasizes the importance of addressing multiple environmental exposures over a lifetime to reduce the risk of premature death. Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, calls for bold action from the government to address inequalities in health outcomes. He stresses that people’s income, postcode, and background should not determine their chances of living a long and healthy life, and urges for targeted efforts to improve cardiovascular health and reduce premature deaths in the UK.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
