24.02.2025.
For years, experts have emphasized that where we live, what we eat, and how we care for ourselves can have as much impact on our health as our genetic makeup.
A major new study published in Nature Medicine reinforces this idea, suggesting that environmental factors, including lifestyle and living conditions, play a significantly greater role in healthy ageing and early mortality than genetics.
The role of lifestyle and environment in longevity
The study, conducted by researchers at Oxford University and involving nearly half a million participants in the UK, found that
environmental factors were approximately ten times more influential than genetics when it came to longevity and overall health.
By examining the combined influence of age, sex, and environmental factors—known as the exposome—scientists determined that these elements explain around 66% of mortality risks.
To assess biological ageing, researchers analyzed genetic risks for 22 diseases, monitored common health conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure, and used protein markers in blood to track ageing rates.
Key environmental factors that impact health
Researchers initially examined 164 environmental variables before identifying 25 key factors closely linked to both mortality and biological ageing.
These included aspects such as education, income, employment status, sleep patterns, physical activity, smoking, social connections, mental well-being, childhood body weight, and prenatal exposure to maternal smoking.
While each factor on its own had a modest effect on lifespan, their combined influence over a lifetime proved to be substantial.
The findings emphasize the intricate web of environmental and lifestyle elements that collectively shape long-term health outcomes.
The Genetic vs. Environmental divide in disease risks
The study also examined how genetic and environmental factors contributed to specific health conditions. It found that genetic predisposition played a larger role in diseases such as dementia and certain cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
However, for conditions like lung, heart, and liver diseases, environmental factors were the dominant contributors.
A roadmap for healthier ageing
Although the study does not establish direct causation, its findings emphasize the importance of lifestyle and environmental choices in shaping health outcomes.
Many of the identified factors are modifiable, offering opportunities for policy interventions and personal lifestyle adjustments to improve public health.
Experts highlight that while genetics can influence health risks, they do not dictate outcomes.
By making informed choices regarding diet, exercise, social interactions, and mental well-being, individuals can actively steer their health in a positive direction. This reinforces the idea that longevity and quality of life are not just inherited traits but also shaped by the decisions we make every day.
As more research explores how lifestyle influences health globally, the findings serve as a powerful reminder that investing in healthy habits and supportive environments can be key to living a longer, healthier life.
