A study identifies nonbiological factors that can predict human mortality. Numerous biological and nonbiological factors influence human mortality risk. To pinpoint nonbiological factors with significant public health and policy implications, Eli Puterman, David Rehkopf, and colleagues examined 57 factors related to six domains: adverse socioeconomic and psychosocial experiences during childhood, adverse experiences during adulthood, health behaviors, psychological characteristics, social connections, and socioeconomic conditions. The authors examined survey data of 13,611 adults aged 52-104 years. The data were compiled by the US Health and Retirement Study between 1992 and 2008 and included 6 years of follow-up to determine mortality. Predictors of mortality spanned all six domains, but the strongest predictors included smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of physical activity, financial difficulties, unemployment history, low life satisfaction, and negative social experiences, such as divorce and frequent discrimination. The predictive strength did not significantly differ based on gender. The findings highlight the importance of including behavioral, psychological, and social factors into mortality risk assessments. Such factors should be considered in creating health policy and interventions, according to the authors.
Article #19-18455: "Predicting mortality from 57 economic, behavioral, social, and psychological factors," by Eli Puterman et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Eli Puterman, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, CANADA; tel: 604-822-2854; email: eli.puterman@ubc.ca
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Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences