A team led by Mariana Rodrigues at New York University’s School of Global Public Health published findings in Psychoneuroendocrinology based on 726 women from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Participants answered questions about three specific worries—becoming less attractive, having more health problems, and being too old to have children—and provided blood samples for biomarker analysis.
The researchers used two epigenetic clocks to assess biological aging: DunedinPACE, which reflects the pace of aging, and GrimAge2, which estimates cumulative biological damage. The main finding was that greater anxiety about growing old was linked to accelerated epigenetic aging on the DunedinPACE measure. Among the worries studied, fear of declining health showed the strongest association, while concerns about attractiveness and fertility did not show significant links with the epigenetic measures.
The authors caution that the study is cross-sectional, offering a snapshot at one time point, so causation cannot be established. Harmful coping behaviors may partly explain the association: after adjusting analyses for smoking and alcohol use, the link between aging anxiety and epigenetic aging weakened and lost statistical significance. The team argues that aging anxiety is a measurable, potentially modifiable factor that connects mental and physical health and calls for further longitudinal research and support for people experiencing this anxiety. The research received support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Difficult words
- epigenetic — changes to gene activity without changing DNA
- biomarker — a measurable substance indicating a biological condition
- cumulative — growing by adding together over time
- cross-sectional — based on data from one time point
- causation — a relationship where one thing causes another
- longitudinal — relating to data collected over a long period
- cope — to manage stress or difficult situationscoping
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why might fear of declining health show a stronger link to biological aging than worries about attractiveness or fertility? Explain with reasons.
- How could future longitudinal research help determine whether aging anxiety causes biological changes or is a result of them?
- What kinds of support or interventions could help people who experience aging anxiety, and how might these reduce health risks?
Related articles
Toxic cosmetics sold in Latin American street markets
Informal markets in Latin America sell cosmetics often without labels or health checks. Studies found toxic metals in many cheap products; authorities seized counterfeit goods and experts warn of health risks, especially for children.
AI coach helps medical students learn suturing
Researchers at Johns Hopkins developed an explainable AI tool that gives immediate text feedback to medical students practicing suturing. A small randomized study found faster learning for students with prior experience; beginners showed less benefit.
Plague and the role of human fleas in Madagascar
The plague is still endemic in some countries, including Madagascar. Researchers found that the human flea Pulex irritans contributes to outbreaks and that household conditions and insecticide use influence flea levels and control efforts.
Alternative splicing linked to mammal lifespan
A study in Nature Communications compared alternative splicing across 26 mammal species (lifespans 2.2–37 years) and found splicing patterns better predict maximum lifespan than gene activity; the brain shows many lifespan-linked events controlled by RNA-binding proteins.