A new study by USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology finds that Americans with less education age faster biologically, spotlighting the growing health inequalities tied to educational attainment.
Americans with less education are aging faster biologically than their more educated peers, and this gap has significantly widened over the past three decades, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
The study, published in the journal Demography, delves into the concept of “biological aging,” a comprehensive measure of aging that assesses how well a person’s organs and systems are functioning, rather than just focusing on chronological age.
The research underscores how two individuals of the same chronological age can exhibit considerable differences in their biological age — one may possess the health profile of someone much younger, while the other may already be experiencing signs of advanced aging.
“Biological age gives us a clearer picture of health than chronological age,” senior author Eileen Crimmins, a USC University Professor, said in a news release. “It helps us understand who is likely to stay healthy longer and who may be at higher risk for disease and disability.”
The Growing Divide
Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the USC team reviewed records of adults aged 50 to 79 during two periods: 1988–1994 and 2015–2018.
Their findings indicate that while biological aging has slowed overall, the rate of improvement is skewed heavily toward those with higher education.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the biological aging gap between individuals with less than a high school education and those with a college degree was about one year.
This disparity has nearly doubled to two years by 2015–2018.
“This means that people with more education have slower biological aging than everyone else,” added first author Mateo Farina, an assistant professor of human development and family sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and former USC Leonard Davis School postdoctoral researcher. “The improvements we see in population health are not being shared equally.”
Role of Education
Educational attainment influences various life aspects that play critical roles in health outcomes, such as job opportunities, income, living conditions and access to health care.
Higher education levels also often correlate with healthier behaviors like smoking less and exercising more.
Interestingly, the study found that these changes in smoking, obesity, or medication use did not fully explain the growing biological aging gap. Instead, the differences appeared to be directly linked to education itself.
“Education shapes opportunities and risks throughout life,” Crimmins added. “It’s a powerful social determinant of health, and it is leaving a mark on how fast or slow our bodies age.”
A Call to Action
The widening educational inequality in biological aging suggests dire implications for future generations. Those with less education may not only face shorter life spans but also endure more years in poor health.
This trend poses enormous challenges for families, communities and the health care system.
“This isn’t just a matter of individual choice; it’s a social issue,” added Farina. “If we want to reduce health disparities, we need to think about education as a public health investment.”