Daily Archives: 21 August 2024

Marital Status Significantly Linked to Improved Health and Well-being Among Ageing Men

A recent study tracking over 7,000 middle-aged and older Canadians for about three years revealed distinct patterns of optimal ageing related to marital status. It found that married men, or those who married during the study, were twice as likely to experience optimal ageing as their never-married counterparts. On the other hand, among women, those who had never married were twice as likely to age optimally compared to those who were married but became widowed or divorced during the study. There was no significant difference in optimal ageing between married women and their never-married counterparts.

“The relationship between marital status in later life and successful ageing is poorly understood. We aimed to explore how different marital paths correlate with physical health and well-being and to determine if these correlations differ between men and women,” stated Mabel Ho, the study’s lead author and a recent doctoral graduate from the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and the Institute of Life Course and Aging. The researchers defined optimal ageing as the absence of severe physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that could hinder daily activities, coupled with high self-reported levels of happiness, good physical health, and mental well-being.

“Previous research has indicated that married individuals typically have better health outcomes than their unmarried counterparts, with never-married men showing the poorest health outcomes,” noted David Burnes, Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. “Married couples often encourage each other to maintain or adopt healthy lifestyles, which might include quitting smoking or regular physical exercise.” This suggests that the mutual support found in marriages may play a critical role in promoting health and well-being as individuals age.

The study also highlighted the importance of social connections for older adults. Those who were not socially isolated and regularly interacted with friends, relatives, and neighbours were likelier to maintain optimal health as they aged. “Social connections are crucial, especially in later life. Regular interactions with friends, family, and neighbours can help reduce feelings of loneliness, foster a sense of belonging, and enhance overall well-being,” explained Eleanor Pullenayegum, a Senior Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children and a professor at the University of Toronto.

Additionally, the research emphasized the role of lifestyle factors in ageing well. Maintaining a healthy body weight, engaging in physical activity, avoiding insomnia, and not smoking were all identified as key to achieving optimal health in later life. “Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital at any age. For instance, quitting smoking can significantly improve one’s chances of ageing well,” remarked Esme Fuller-Thomson, the study’s senior author and Director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

The study underlines the need to understand better gender-specific differences in ageing to support older men and women in their later years. The insights gathered could help shape the development of programs and services designed to assist older adults, particularly those who are single, widowed, or have gone through separation or divorce. Ho concluded, “Our findings can inform the development of programs and services to engage and support older adults, particularly those who were never married or experienced widowhood, separation, and divorce in later life.”

More information: Ho, M., Pullenayegum, E., Burnes, D., & Fuller-Thomson, E. (2024). The association between trajectories of marital status and successful aging varies by sex: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). International Social Work, 0(0). DOI: 10.1177/00208728241267791

Journal information: International Social Work Provided by The University of Toronto

Integrating Food Taxes and Subsidies to Promote Healthier Grocery Choices Among Low-Income Families

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The study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill investigated the potential effects of a combined tax-subsidy policy on the buying habits of low-income households, particularly concerning their nutritional quality, without raising overall costs. By modelling the impact of national-level taxes on sugary and ultra-processed foods and using the generated revenue to fund subsidies for healthier, minimally processed food items, the study aimed to assess how such policies could influence consumer behaviour. The findings suggested that implementing targeted taxes on unhealthy food and drink options, alongside subsidies for healthier choices, would likely lead to a significant improvement in the nutritional quality of purchases made by low-income households.

This policy model not only promotes healthier eating habits but also does so in a cost-effective manner. It effectively encourages healthier eating habits without compromising consumer satisfaction or financial burden. The approach has proven to be cost-effective in various contexts, including reducing sugary drink consumption and associated chronic diseases. Internationally, many countries and regions have already seen positive outcomes from imposing health-centric sugary drink taxes, though few have reinvested the revenues into subsidising healthy food purchases.

In the U.S., similar studies have shown that providing extra financial benefits to food assistance beneficiaries for the purchase of fruits and vegetables significantly boosts the consumption of these healthier food items. The results from this new study underscore the potential of a hybrid policy approach, combining tax and subsidy elements, to enhance the accessibility of nutritious food choices for low-income families. This could include beans, legumes, unprocessed meats, and low- or no-sugar drinks.

Authors Shu Wen Ng, PhD, and Pourya Valizadeh, PhD, emphasise that this method promotes better dietary patterns among the economically disadvantaged and advances nutritional equity. They suggest that such fiscal measures focus more on modifying food pricing structures to make healthy options more affordable than merely generating government revenue. This approach sends a cohesive message to consumers and the food industry about the national commitment to improving diet quality and nutrition security in the United States.

More information: Pourya Valizadeh et al, Promoting Healthier Purchases: Ultraprocessed Food Taxes and Minimally Processed Foods Subsidies for the Low Income, American Journal of Preventive Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.02.019

Journal information: American Journal of Preventive Medicine Provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Research reveals that numerous young individuals from affluent areas in NYC skipped ahead in the COVID-19 vaccination line

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Amidst vaccine shortages, many younger residents in New York City obtained COVID-19 vaccinations earlier than planned, especially in wealthier neighbourhoods, reveals a Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health study. In contrast, lower-income regions with a higher proportion of elderly residents showed less vaccination coverage during the initial three months of the rollout. They experienced more excellent mortality rates over the year. These findings have been published in the Journal of Urban Health.

An adjunct population and family health professor at Columbia Mailman School, Nina Schwalbe, emphasised that a vaccine strategy prioritising those most at risk from COVID-19 complications and deaths would have been more effective. She highlighted the necessity for policymakers to tailor vaccine distribution strategies to the local demographics of high-risk groups. Schwalbe suggested that focusing the limited vaccine supply on lower-income areas with a significant elderly population could have reduced overall mortality.

The study detailed the vaccination schedule and the sequence in which different groups were vaccinated. Starting on December 14, 2020, New York began vaccinating high-risk hospital workers, followed by successive age groups until all adults aged 30 and over were eligible by March 30, 2021. Vaccines were administered through fixed-point mass vaccination sites in collaboration between the New York State Department of Health and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Researchers utilised data from the Census Bureau and New York City Health, aggregated by modified zip code tabulation areas (MODZCTA), which included demographic information on race, income, and age. They analysed COVID-19 mortality rates per 100,000 population in each MODZCTA from December 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021.

Schwalbe pointed out that in New York, the risk of dying from COVID-19 varied significantly, with age being the most significant risk factor and low-income households being disproportionately affected. By the end of March, vaccination rates for individuals aged 65 and above ranged from 53 per cent in the poorest quintile to 75 per cent in the richest, with the highest coverage reaching 99 per cent in the wealthiest areas compared to 68 per cent in the most inadequate. A year later, when vaccines became widely available, the median vaccination coverage for residents aged 65 and older surpassed 87 per cent, even in the least wealthy areas.

The study questioned whether New York expanded vaccination eligibility too rapidly, given the vaccine shortages, rather than prioritising higher-risk groups, such as older residents in low-income areas. Schwalbe noted that while it’s possible some younger individuals were vaccinated due to their professions or underlying health conditions, these factors likely did not justify the significant disparity in vaccination rates between low and high-income areas.

Schwalbe and her colleagues concluded that the distribution of vaccines in the face of shortages showed an apparent “misallocation” that could have been addressed more effectively by adhering strictly to state guidelines on distribution criteria. They argued for a targeted approach in U.S. policy, prioritising access to critical resources like vaccines for those most at risk of severe health outcomes, thereby enhancing the efficiency and equity of public health interventions.

More information: Nina Schwalbe et al, Assessing New York City’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Strategy: A Case for Risk-Informed Distribution, Journal of Urban Health. DOI: 10.1007/s11524-024-00853-z

Journal information: Journal of Urban Health Provided by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Evening Exercise Found to Enhance Blood Sugar Control in Overweight and Obese Individuals

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Researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) uncovered the findings, which suggest important practical implications, particularly for individuals susceptible to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes.

The research was carried out by the UGR’s PROFITH CTS-977 Research Group in collaboration with the “San Cecilio” and “Virgen de las Nieves” University Hospitals in Granada; the Public University of Navarre; the Centre for Networked Biomedical Research on Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN); and the Centre for Networked Biomedical Research on Frailty and Healthy Ageing (CIBERFES). The study focused on the impact of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on glucose levels in overweight and obese adults.

It is well-established that physical activity positively influences glucose regulation. However, the timing of the activity—whether in the morning, afternoon, or evening—may play a crucial role in maximizing its cardiometabolic benefits. Led by Antonio Clavero-Jimeno and Jonatan Ruiz from the UGR’s Department of Physical Education and Sports (Faculty of Sport Sciences) and the Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), the study aimed to determine if a specific time of day could optimize these benefits, particularly for those with insulin resistance or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The researchers discovered that engaging in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the evening, specifically between 18:00 and 00:00, has a beneficial effect on glucose regulation in both men and women who are overweight or obese. Additionally, those with some form of impaired glucose metabolism—such as higher glucose levels, glycated haemoglobin, or fasting insulin resistance index—appeared to reap more significant benefits from physical activity, regardless of their gender.

A total of 186 overweight or obese adults, half women, with an average age of 47, participated in the study. They were equipped with an accelerometer and a continuous glucose monitor for 14 days to measure their physical activity and glucose levels throughout the day. The days were categorized based on activity levels as either “inactive,” “morning,” “afternoon,” “evening,” or “mixed,” depending on when more than 50% of the recorded physical activity occurred within specified time slots.

These findings underscore the significance of considering the timing of physical activity when prescribing exercise, especially for those prone to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. They could enhance the effectiveness of exercise interventions for these groups.

More information: Antonio Clavero-Jimeno et al, Impact of lifestyle moderate-to-vigorous physical activity timing on glycemic control in sedentary adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic impairments, Obesity. DOI: 10.1002/oby.24063

Journal information: Obesity Provided by Universidad de Granada

Forecasting Ahead: Simple Tools to Assess Risks of Falling

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The escalating demographic shift towards an ageing global population introduces a pressing issue: the increased risk of falls among older adults. Statistics suggest that one in every three individuals over 65 experiences at least one fall annually, with the injuries incurred from these falls becoming a growing concern in public health and healthcare management.

In an innovative response to this challenge, Associate Professor Hiromitsu Toyoda and Specially Appointed Professor Tadashi Okano from Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine have collaborated with Professor Chisato Hayashi from the University of Hyogo to develop an accessible assessment tool. This tool, which simplifies the estimation of fall risks, was meticulously crafted using data collected over a decade-long period from April 2010 to December 2019, specifically focusing on elderly participants.

The collaborative research initiative analyzed a vast array of data, encompassing 7,726 physical examinations and the responses to the Kihon Checklist—a comprehensive self-reporting questionnaire used by 2,381 older adults participating in community-based exercise programs. The Japanese government recognizes this questionnaire as a tool for assessing the health and well-being of the elderly. The analysis was rigorously performed under a formal agreement between Sumoto City in Hyogo Prefecture and the University of Hyogo, ensuring the integrity and applicability of the findings.

Traditionally, risk factors for falls have included a history of previous falls and the inability to maintain balance while standing on one leg. However, the recent analysis conducted by the research team has unveiled additional indicators. Poor oral health and diminished cognitive function have emerged as critical, yet previously underappreciated, contributors to fall risk. The study also highlighted that merely short-term involvement in targeted exercise programs was insufficient for reducing the risk of falls among older adults.

Professor Toyoda is optimistic about the potential impact of this new tool, emphasizing its benefits for healthcare providers on the front lines of elderly care. He stated, “We believe that this tool will provide invaluable information for healthcare professionals responsible for screening and supporting older adults at heightened risk of falls. It will aid them not only in preventative measures but also ineffective follow-up care.” He further expressed hope that this tool would be widely adopted by municipalities, underscoring that preventing falls among older adults does more than extend their life expectancy—it also plays a crucial role in controlling the spiralling costs associated with medical care and long-term care facilities.

The initiative led by Professors Toyoda, Okano, and Hayashi aims to foster a more proactive approach to managing elderly health by equipping healthcare providers with reliable, easy-to-use tools for assessing fall risks. This will ultimately contribute to safer, healthier ageing communities.

More information: Chisato Hayashi et al, Development and validation of a prediction model for falls among older people using community-based data, Osteoporosis International. DOI: 10.1007/s00198-024-07148-8

Journal information: Osteoporosis International Provided by Osaka Metropolitan University