Social support and epigenetic aging at the intersections of race, ethnicity, and gender: findings from NHANES 1999-2002.

Hanyang Shen, Nicole Gladish, Andres Cardenas, Belinda L Needham, David H Rehkopf

Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

•The connection of social support and epigenetic aging varies markedly by person.•Sufficient emotional support is linked to slower epigenetic aging among Black men.•Having close friends was associated with slower epigenetic aging among Black women.•Epigenetic aging was slower among married Black and Mexican American men.•Hannum and Weidner clocks were the most sensitive to social support variability.

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Research summary

Sufficient emotional support is linked to slower epigenetic aging among specific racial and ethnic groups. The paper explores the relationship between social support and epigenetic aging, which is directly relevant to understanding factors that may influence the aging process and longevity.

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