Innovative Method for Measuring Aging Speeds Enhances Understanding of Healthspan and Lifespan in Older Adults

A groundbreaking approach to assessing the Pace of Aging offers a comprehensive way to predict health risks related to aging, including chronic diseases, cognitive decline, disability, and mortality. Developed by researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, this refined method enables scientists and policymakers to precisely quantify how quickly individuals and populations experience age-related health deterioration.

Traditional metrics in population health research often fail to distinguish the effects of early-life factors, such as prenatal care and nutrition, from ongoing biological aging processes. The new method addresses this gap by focusing solely on biological markers that reflect the current pace of aging, providing a clearer picture of health trajectories in older populations. The study detailing this advancement was published in Nature Aging.

Arun Balachandran, Ph.D., the study’s lead author, emphasized the importance of this approach for understanding population aging. Daniel Belsky, Ph.D., an epidemiology expert, noted that existing tools do not differentiate the lasting impacts of early life from aging itself. The new technique helps evaluate the effectiveness of both health interventions and social policies aimed at fostering healthier aging.

The research team utilized extensive data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA), which follow adults aged 50 and above. These long-term studies gather detailed health, socioeconomic, and behavioral data across multiple timepoints. The study analyzed data from over 19,000 participants, collected between 2006 and 2016, with follow-up data extending to 2022.

The method involves measuring biomarkers such as C-reactive protein, Cystatin-C, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), blood pressure, waist circumference, lung capacity, balance, grip strength, and gait speed, typically through home visits. Remarkably, these markers can be used to calculate an individual’s Pace of Aging, revealing differences in aging speed among older adults. The findings show that higher aging rates are linked to increased risks of illness, disability, and earlier death despite similar chronological ages.

Originally developed using data from the Dunedin Study, the newer approach extends the utility of the Pace of Aging metric from young adulthood into older age, providing a vital tool for public health planning. It helps identify at-risk groups, such as those with lower educational levels, and supports targeted interventions.

Beyond medical implications, this work offers insights into social and economic dimensions of aging. It sheds light on how life events like retirement or caregiving influence aging processes and can inform policies to improve health outcomes across diverse populations.

In conclusion, this refined aging measurement method enhances our ability to monitor and understand aging trajectories. By accurately assessing individual and group aging speeds, it opens doors for more effective health strategies, social policies, and research initiatives aimed at promoting healthy aging worldwide.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-refined-aging-method-reveals-trajectories.html