The Intersection of Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors in Aging: Insights from a Narrative Review

(1) Background: Socioeconomic conditions and environmental exposures are well-established determinants of health and aging, yet the pathways through which they influence the aging process remain insufficiently understood. Clarifying these mechanisms is critical for developing effective, equity-focused public health interventions to support healthy aging; (2) Methods: We conducted a narrative review examining the relationships between socioeconomic conditions, environmental exposures, and aging-related health outcomes. While the scope was intentionally broad to capture diverse exposures and outcomes, we applied a systematic search strategy to identify relevant peer-reviewed studies; (3) Results: The search populated over 4000 articles; 33 relevant papers were selected. The evidence suggests that environmental exposures may mediate or modify the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage on aging. Conversely, socioeconomic conditions can alter the association between environmental factors and aging outcomes. Disadvantaged populations consistently face higher environmental burdens and exhibit poorer aging outcomes, including accelerated biological aging and increased risk of age-related disease; (4) Conclusions: The complex interplay between social and environmental factors contributes to disparities in aging. Our integrative approach highlights the need for more intersectional, longitudinal research to inform interventions that address the social and environmental determinants of healthy aging.