Environment Outweighs Genetics in Predicting Longevity, Study Finds
A study led by Oxford Population Health reveals that lifestyle and environmental factors have a far greater impact on longevity than genetics, with the exposome being about ten times more important in predicting premature mortality.
Published on March 28, 2025
Researchers from Oxford Population Health analyzed data from nearly 500,000 UK Biobank participants and discovered that a wide array of environmental factors—ranging from smoking and socioeconomic status to living conditions and physical activity—are about ten times more influential than genetics in predicting premature mortality. These factors, collectively referred to as the exposome, play a critical role in determining the risk for diseases affecting the heart, lungs, and liver, even though genetics contribute significantly to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
Published around mid-February 2025, the study emphasizes that while our genetic makeup does influence health outcomes, lifestyle and environmental choices hold the key to longevity. The findings mark a crucial step toward integrating genomic and exposome research, potentially paving the way for more targeted public health interventions and disease prevention strategies.