A study using data from the Women’s Health Initiative analyzed health information for 19,403 postmenopausal women collected between 1993 and 2024. Researchers assessed heart health with Life’s Essential 8 (LE8), a set of eight measures from the American Heart Association, and they repeated a similar analysis with five lifestyle factors (LE5) in a larger group.
Investigators combined self-reported habits such as sleep and smoking with laboratory markers for blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure. They scored participants from 0 to 100 and divided scores into low (0–49), moderate (50–79) and high (80–100). During an average 16-year follow-up, 20% of women in the LE8 group developed type 2 diabetes, and women in the highest LE8 category had a 57% lower risk than those in the lowest. In the LE5 analysis, 17.7% developed diabetes and the highest group had a 40% lower risk.
Of the LE8 factors, blood sugar and BMI showed the strongest links to diabetes risk. The study also found larger benefits for women under 60 and for Hispanic women. The lead author said researchers will study how LE8 could be used in clinical and public health settings to prevent diabetes.
Difficult words
- postmenopausal — After a woman has stopped having menstrual periods
- assess — To examine and judge the condition or qualityassessed
- self-reported — Told by the person themselves, not measured
- marker — A measurable sign used to show a health statemarkers
- follow-up — Later checks or observations after an initial study
- category — A group or class with a shared feature
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could doctors or public health workers use LE8 scores to help prevent diabetes?
- Which LE8 or LE5 factor (for example sleep or smoking) would you try to improve to lower your diabetes risk, and why?
- Why do you think the study found larger benefits for women under 60?
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