Holocaust survivors: Health and longevity 70 years later

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Trauma Studies
• Public Health

Background:

• Holocaust survivors (HS) are a unique, aging population exposed to extreme trauma over 70 years ago.
• Previous research documented negative health outcomes in HS prior to age 70.
• This study investigates the long-term health, functional status, and survival of HS in advanced age (85-95).

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the hypothesis that remote trauma from the Holocaust continues to affect health, function, and survival in elderly survivors.
• To compare health and survival outcomes of Holocaust survivors (camp and exposed) with a control group in advanced age.

Main Methods:

• The Jerusalem Longitudinal Study (1990-2022) followed Jerusalem residents born 1920-1921.
• Participants (aged 85, 90, 95) underwent home assessments of medical, social, functional, and cognitive status, plus mortality data.
• Survivors were classified as HS-Camp (HS-C), HS-Exposed (HS-E), or Controls, with adjusted Hazards Ratios (HR) calculated.

Main Results:

• No consistent significant differences in morbidity were observed between HS-C, HS-E, and Controls at ages 85, 90, and 95.
• Mortality rates between ages 85-90 and 90-95 did not significantly differ across the groups.
• Adjusted HRs for mortality were insignificant for HS-C and HS-E compared to Controls at both age intervals.

Conclusions:

• Seventy years post-Holocaust, significant impairments in health, function, and mortality were not observed in survivors.
• Elderly survivors (85+) may represent a uniquely resilient population.
• Adaptation to extreme adversity appears to have persisted throughout the lives of these survivors.