Early Life Stress and Long-Term Survival in the Hamann-Todd Collection

Area of Science:

• Bioarchaeology
• Paleopathology
• Human Osteology

Background:

• The impact of physiological stress during growth on mortality is a key area of interest in bioarchaeology.
• Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) and adult stature are recognized markers of physiological stress experienced during development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between survival and markers of physiological stress, specifically linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) and adult stature.
• To analyze survival patterns in a sample of 296 individuals from the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection (HTOC).

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Hamann-Todd Osteological Collection (HTOC), comprising individuals from early 20th century Cleveland with known demographic data.
• Employed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess the relationship between skeletal/dental stress markers and survival.
• Used log rank tests to determine the statistical significance of survival differences among demographic groups.

Main Results:

• Significant survival differences were observed across demographic groups, independent of LEH status or stature.
• No significant differences in survivorship were found based on the presence of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH).
• Shorter stature was associated with a higher probability of survival in females, but not in males.

Conclusions:

• The study suggests that factors other than early life stress, likely adult environmental quality, were primary determinants of survival in the HTOC sample.
• The findings indicate that LEH and stature, as measured in this sample, may not be direct predictors of long-term mortality in this specific historical population.