VOLUNTEERING AND EPIGENETIC AGE AMONG RETIRED AND WORKING OLDER ADULTS: EVIDENCE FROM HEALTH AND RETIREMENT STUDY
2024
Volunteering and Epigenetic Age in Older Adults
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Kim Seoyoun, Halvorsen Cal, Potter Claire
Primary Institution: Texas State University
Hypothesis
Is there a link between volunteering frequency and epigenetic aging in older adults?
Conclusion
Volunteering is associated with slower epigenetic aging, especially among working individuals.
Supporting Evidence
- Low to medium volunteering predicted slower aging for Horvath and Hannum clocks.
- Higher volunteering hours were more beneficial for workers in GrimAge and DunedinPoAm.
- Cumulative volunteering index was related to slower epigenetic aging acceleration for all clocks.
Takeaway
Helping others by volunteering can help older people age more slowly on a biological level.
Methodology
Analyzed volunteering frequency and DNA methylation data from the Health and Retirement Study.
Potential Biases
Potential selection biases in who volunteers.
Limitations
Changes in volunteering and selection biases may affect the results.
Participant Demographics
Working and retired older adults.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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