In a study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, researchers have uncovered that Native Hawaiians exhibit a higher rate of accelerated biological ageing compared to White and Japanese American residents. The study also highlights the impact of living in adverse environments, such as neighbourhoods with low socioeconomic status, contributing to accelerated biological ageing regardless of ethnic background. However, life experiences might provide a buffer against this acceleration.
The research led by Alika Maunakea, a Native Hawaiian professor of epigenetics and a researcher in health disparities at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, indicates that individuals residing in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas can mitigate some of the effects of accelerated ageing. Those who participate in regular physical activity, achieve higher educational levels, and maintain healthier diets appear to experience biological ageing rates more aligned with their chronological age. These factors were associated with a lower BMI and a reduced risk of diabetes.
The study delved into cancer research data to establish these findings. Maunakea and his team analyzed DNA samples from 376 participants in the UH Cancer Center’s ongoing multiethnic cohort. Biological ageing is considered the progressive decline in cellular and physiological functions, reflecting the body’s actual age on a molecular and cellular level, which can differ from chronological age. This type of ageing is assessed through DNA methylation, an epigenetic process that influences gene activity and indicates biological age. This process allows scientists to determine whether an individual is ageing faster or slower than their chronological age.
While previous research on DNA methylation and biological age has primarily focused on populations of European ancestry, studies on ethnically diverse populations have been limited. This gap is significant as these populations often experience higher incidences and earlier onsets of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, particularly evident in Native Hawaiians. This group also suffers from the highest all-cause mortality rates compared to other major ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi. Through this study, Maunakea hopes to illuminate the biological mechanisms underlying health disparities in Native Hawaiians to address these issues better.
Maunakea emphasizes these findings’ substantial public health implications, suggesting that they could inform health policy. While it may be challenging to change certain neighbourhood-level factors affecting health, such as residential location and environmental conditions, individual lifestyle choices related to education, physical activity, and diet can be enhanced through federal, state, and community initiatives. One such example is MAʻO Organic Farms in Waiʻanae, which combats health and socioeconomic disparities in the region.
Reflecting on the personal significance of the study’s outcomes, Maunakea, born and raised in Waiʻanae, views the results as confirmation that lifestyle plays a crucial role in health. He argues that being Native Hawaiian does not predetermine one’s health trajectory, even in economically challenged areas. The molecular data from the study demonstrates that adopting healthier lifestyles reduces disease risk and likely enhances longevity. This insight gives Maunakea hope for significant improvements in health and well-being for Native Hawaiians within his lifetime.
More information: Alika K. Maunakea et al, Socioeconomic Status, Lifestyle, and DNA Methylation Age Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adults, JAMA. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.21889
Journal information: JAMA Provided by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
