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Cited by 33Health disparities and outcomesEpigenetics and DNA MethylationHomelessness and Social Issues

Are housing circumstances associated with faster epigenetic ageing?

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Clair, Amy, Baker, Emma, Kumari, Meena·2024·Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
DOI 10.1136/jech-2023-220523PMC PMC10715511
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Abstract

Background: Numerous aspects of housing are associated with health. However, the pathways between housing and health, particularly the psychosocial elements of housing, are less well understood. Epigenetic information alongside social survey data offers an opportunity to explore biological ageing, measured using DNA methylation, as a potential pathway through which housing affects health. Methods: We use data on housing and DNA methylation from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, linked with prior survey responses from the British Household Panel Survey, covering adults in Great Britain. We explore the association between epigenetic ageing and housing circumstances, both contemporary and historical, using hierarchical regression. Results: We find that living in a privately rented home is related to faster biological ageing. Importantly, the impact of private renting (coefficient (SE) 0.046 years (0.011) vs owned outright, p<0.001) is greater than the impact of experiencing unemployment (coefficient 0.027 years (0.012) vs employed, p<0.05) or being a former smoker (coefficient 0.021 years (0.005) vs never smoker, p<0.001). When we include historical housing circumstances in the analysis, we find that repeated housing arrears and exposure to pollution/environmental problems are also associated with faster biological ageing. Conclusion: Our results suggest that challenging housing circumstances negatively affect health through faster biological ageing. However, biological ageing is reversible, highlighting the significant potential for housing policy changes to improve health.

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  • Accelerated epigenetic aging suggests prolonged activation of stress and immune pathways, reflecting cumulative physiological burden.

    “Accelerated epigenetic aging suggests prolonged activation of stress and immune pathways, reflecting cumulative physiological burden (77).”

    From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [77]

    The Introduction ('Estimating biological age(ing)'; page unavailable) links accelerated epigenetic ageing with cumulative lifetime stress. It does not say that accelerated ageing indicates prolonged activation of stress and immune pathways or reflects cumulative physiological burden; searches for those mechanisms found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Chronic housing instability reflects sustained environmental stress associated with prolonged activation of stress-responsive physiological systems.

    “Chronic housing instability reflects sustained environmental stress associated with prolonged activation of stress-responsive physiological systems.”

    From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [77]

    The Introduction’s “Housing and health” section describes insecure housing as a psychosocial concern and links psychosocial aspects of housing to stress. The Discussion associates repeated housing arrears and private renting with faster biological ageing. Neither passage establishes that housing instability causes prolonged activation of stress-responsive physiological systems. (LLM, conf=0.85)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Housing instability has been associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and inflammatory systems.

    “Housing instability has been associated with dysregulation of neuroendocrine and inflammatory systems.”

    From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [77]

    The Introduction’s “Housing and health” section links housing insecurity to psychosocial stress, and the Discussion associates some housing circumstances with faster epigenetic ageing. Neither section reports dysregulation of neuroendocrine or inflammatory systems; searches for those systems and related terms found no supporting passage in our copy. Page numbers were not available. (LLM, conf=0.72)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Clair, A., Baker, E., & Kumari, M.
Affiliations
  • The University of Adelaide (AU)
  • Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
Corresponding author
Clair, Amy
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2023-10-10
Volume
78
Issue
1
Pages
40-46
ISSN
  • 0141-7681 (ISSN-L)
  • 0143-005X
  • 1470-2738
DOI
10.1136/jech-2023-220523
PMC
PMC10715511
OpenAlex
W4387478119
Cited by
33
References
3
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4
FWCI
8.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Open Access at Essex (University of Essex) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1196456)
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ES/T014083/1, ES/S012486/1, ES/M008592/1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
Keywords
epigenetic aging, DNA methylation, private renting, housing tenure, unemployment, pollution exposure, housing policy, health disparities
MeSH terms
Adult, Aging, United Kingdom, Housing, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Epigenesis, Genetic

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