Scientists have made a ground-breaking discovery: prolonging education until the age of 18 has a remarkable effect on slowing down the aging process compared to those who left school at 16. While it has long been understood that education correlates with longevity and shields against illness, this latest research delves deeper, uncovering that it actively retards cellular aging.
Conducted at Columbia University in New York, the study revealed that an additional two years of schooling led to a notable two to three percent deceleration in the pace of aging. Daniel Belsky, from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, commented on the significance of this finding, stating, “We’ve long recognized the association between higher education levels and extended lifespans. However, understanding the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, and whether initiatives to promote education can indeed foster healthy aging, has posed considerable challenges.”
The research team analysed data from 14,106 individuals participating in the Framingham Heart Study, a longstanding investigation initiated in 1948 spanning multiple generations. Participants underwent comprehensive blood and genetic tests to assess cellular and DNA aging. The study focused on the slowing of cellular turnover and mitochondrial DNA function, often likened to a biological clock measuring the rate of aging. While factors such as illness or unhealthy habits can accelerate this clock, the study found that healthy lifestyles, including education, have the opposite effect.
In addition to its impact on cellular aging, the study revealed further health benefits associated with education. For instance, an increase of 3.6 years in educational attainment corresponded to a significant one-third decrease in the risk of coronary heart disease. Moreover, individuals with higher education levels were found to be less likely to smoke, had lower body mass indexes, and exhibited more favourable blood fat profiles.
Published in the journal Jama Network Open, this research underscores the profound impact of education not only on longevity but also on overall health and well-being. It suggests that investments in education may offer substantial returns in terms of public health and longevity.