Aging
Self-reported wealth is associated with epigenetic aging in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study Koichi Sakakibara* Jourdyn Lawwrence Lawwrence Lawwrence Lawwrence Lawwrence Lawwrence Lawwrence Drexel University
Introduction: Recent literature has linked wealth to morbidity and mortality, but its biological embodiment remains understudied. This study examined the relationship between self-reported wealth and epigenetic aging (EA), a critical biological predictor of age-related chronic health conditions. Method: We used pooled cross-sectional data from 274 non-Hispanic Black and 854 non-Hispanic white participants in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Study Wave 2 and Refresher (mean age=54, 55% female). EA was assessed using five epigenetic clocks (Hovarth, Hovarth2, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge) and one pace-of-aging measure (DuendinPACE). Self-reported wealth reflected an assessment of whether the participant’s household would break even, have money remaining, or still owe after liquidating assets and paying any debts. Linear regression models were fit to assess relationships between self-reported wealth and EA. Models were also stratified by self-identified race. Results: Adjusted for age and sex, individuals reporting“debts would just about equal assets” showed significantly slower aging compared to those who reported they “would still owe money” using PhenoAge, GrimAge2, and DunedinPACE. Associations remained after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related variables. Participants who reported they “would have money left over” also had a slower aging trend compared to those who reported “would still owe money”, but the 95% CIs overlap with those of “just about equal” (B: -0.044 CI: -0.073, -0.014, and B: -0.057 CI:-0.088, -0.027, respectively in DunedinPACE). The stratified analyses presented overlapping 95% CIs between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white adults across EA. Conclusion: This study highlights the role of individuals’ perception of their wealth status in health and aging. These findings demonstrate how wealth and wealth inequality can be embodied through biopsychosocial processes.
