The link between education and longevity

Recent research from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and The Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center reveals a significant connection between educational attainment and longevity. Findings from the Framingham Heart Study indicate that individuals with higher levels of education tend to experience a slower pace of aging and, consequently, a longer life expectancy compared to their less-educated peers. This groundbreaking study, published in JAMA Network Open, is the first of its kind to directly associate upward educational mobility with slowed biological aging and reduced mortality risk.

Educational attainment slows down the aging process by 2-3 percent

The study utilized the innovative DunedinPACE epigenetic clock, developed by Columbia alongside Duke University, to measure the pace of aging through DNA methylation markers found in white blood cells. The clock functions akin to a biological speedometer, assessing the rate of age-related changes within the body. According to this research, an additional two years of education can slow the aging process by approximately 2-3 percent. This deceleration correlates with about a 10 percent reduction in mortality risk, further substantiating earlier findings by Dr. Daniel Belsky, a senior author of the study.

"The importance of education extends beyond social and economic benefits. It has profound implications for longevity and biological resilience," explained Belsky, an associate professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School. "Understanding how educational attainment influences health and lifespan is crucial, not just for individual well-being but also for informing policy and educational practices."

Upward eucational mobility: a key to healthier aging

The Columbia researchers analyzed data from 14,106 participants across three generations of the Framingham Heart Study, linking the educational levels of children to those of their parents. They focused particularly on a subset of 3,101 individuals who provided blood samples, using this information to calculate the biological aging pace using the DunedinPACE clock. The study also examined 2,437 sibling pairs, comparing educational levels and aging paces to control for familial and socio-economic backgrounds.

Ph.D. candidate Gloria Graf, first author of the study, emphasized the importance of considering educational mobility—how individuals' education levels compare to their parents and siblings. "By focusing on relative educational achievement, we can more accurately isolate the impact of education itself on aging and longevity," Graf stated.

The results were consistent across generations and within family comparisons. Higher educational mobility was associated with slower aging and decreased mortality risk. Graf noted, "Up to half of the educational gradient in mortality could be explained by healthier aging trajectories among those with more education."

Future directions and implications for policy

The findings suggest that policies promoting educational attainment could be a viable strategy for enhancing healthy longevity. However, both Graf and Belsky acknowledge the need for experimental evidence to firmly establish causality between education and slowed biological aging. "Epigenetic clocks like DunedinPACE could play a crucial role in such studies, providing measurable outcomes that reflect the long-term benefits of education on health before disease or disability appears," Belsky added.

As research continues to unfold, the link between education and longevity remains a compelling argument for the societal, economic, and personal benefits of higher education. These insights not only highlight the value of educational opportunities but also underscore the potential of education as a tool for promoting healthier, longer lives.