A groundbreaking study, using data from the representative UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), has shed light on the impact of housing circumstances on biological aging. The study, which analyzed information from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), revealed that renting a property can accelerate biological aging, with twice the detrimental effect compared to being unemployed. Surprisingly, the increased rate of biological aging was even greater than the impact of being a former smoker.
The study took into account various factors, including structural stressors like mold and cold, as well as psychosocial issues such as high prices and overcrowding. Researchers also considered health records and DNA methylation analysis, a measure of biological aging, from survey respondents who provided blood samples.
The findings showed that individuals who rented and faced challenging housing circumstances experienced faster biological aging. This was particularly evident in cases where rent payments were missed or when individuals were exposed to pollution and environmental problems. However, the study found no difference in the rate of biological aging between social housing and property ownership.
The authors of the study concluded that challenging housing circumstances have a negative impact on health through faster biological aging. They emphasized the potential for housing policy changes to improve health, as biological aging is reversible. While the study is observational and cannot establish causation, the researchers suggest that improving the treatment and living conditions of private renters may help slow down the process of biological aging.
“What it means to be a private renter is not set in stone but dependent on policy decisions, which to date have prioritized owners and investors over renters,” wrote the authors. They recommend policies such as ending ‘no-fault’ evictions, limiting rent increases, and improving conditions to reduce the stress and uncertainty associated with private renting.
The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology, highlights the need for further attention to housing policy and its impact on health.
