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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
09:10
Measuring Single-Cell Aging with an Imaging-based Biomarker of Chromatin and Epigenetic Aging
Published on: January 30, 2026
Wealth, Epigenetic Age Acceleration, and Intrinsic Capacity: A Multidomain Mediation Analysis
Hanyul Lee1, Seung-Sup Kim2,3, Hongsoo Kim1,3,4
1Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Biological aging, measured by GrimAge epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), partially explains how wealth impacts intrinsic capacity (IC) and functional health in older adults. This highlights aging as a key pathway in socioeconomic health disparities.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epigenetics
- Health Economics
Background:
- Socioeconomic disadvantage is linked to worse health outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms require further investigation.
- Intrinsic capacity (IC) is crucial for healthy aging and functional independence in later life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if GrimAge epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) mediates the relationship between wealth and intrinsic capacity (IC).
- To understand the biological pathways linking socioeconomic status to functional decline.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1,143 participants from the Health and Retirement Study with longitudinal data.
- Linear regression models to assess the association between GrimAge EAA and age-adjusted IC.
- Natural effect models and bootstrapping to evaluate mediation and estimate uncertainty.
Main Results:
- Increased GrimAge EAA was significantly associated with reduced IC across multiple domains.
- GrimAge EAA partially mediated the association between wealth and IC, explaining 10.8% of the composite score, 33.3% of vitality, 12.5% of psychological, and 11.1% of locomotion.
Conclusions:
- Biological aging, as indicated by GrimAge EAA, represents a significant pathway through which wealth influences functional outcomes in older adults.
- While biological aging is a key factor, it does not solely account for the complex relationship between wealth and functional decline.
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