Work

Life-course socioeconomic inequalities, social mobility and healthy aging in older adults: A multi-cohort study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • How life-course socioeconomic position (SEP) influence intrinsic capacity (IC) is examined in cohort studies in USA, UK, Europe, China, and Japan. • There is a social gradient in intrinsic capacity according to childhood SEP, early adulthood educational attainment and late adulthood wealth, with the lowest gradient in Japan. • Education is a more robust determinant of IC than wealth in the USA, Europe, China and Japan. • Upward and downward social mobility in adulthood can partially modify the impact of childhood SEP. To investigate how socioeconomic positions at different life stages, their relative importance, and social mobility influence IC across the USA, UK, Europe, China, and Japan among adults aged ≥50 years. We included 54,217 participants from five nationally representative cohorts in the USA, UK, Europe, China, and Japan. Life-course socioeconomic positions were assessed in early-life (childhood socioeconomic positions), early-adulthood (education), and late-adulthood (household wealth). Healthy aging was measured by intrinsic capacity including cognition, psychological health, locomotion, vitality, and sensory functions. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the associations of intrinsic capacity with each socioeconomic position indicator and social mobility. Higher levels of education and wealth were both significantly associated with better intrinsic capacity ( p < 0.05 in all cohorts). Education had a stronger impact on intrinsic capacity than wealth in the USA, Europe, China, and Japan. Middle and high childhood socioeconomic positions were significantly linked to better intrinsic capacity compared with the low group ( p < 0.05 in all cohorts). Compared to stable groups, upward and downward social mobility groups were associated with better and worse intrinsic capacity, respectively. Socioeconomic measures throughout the life course can predict healthy aging in the USA, Europe, and Asia. The long-term negative impact of disadvantaged childhood socioeconomic positions on healthy aging can be partially mitigated by upward mobility later in life. Policies need to narrow the social inequalities from early life and prevent adults from experiencing downward mobility, thereby reducing disparities in healthy aging.

Source: Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics

DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2025.105829

Authors: Ziting Huang, Eric T.C. Lai, Hideki Hashimoto, Michael Marmot, Jean Woo

Institutions: Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Tokyo, University College London

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750