Living in a privately rented home has been linked to faster biological ageing, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Essex and the University of Adelaide in Australia. Previous studies have indicated that biological ageing can worsen during stressful life events and reverse once that stress has stopped. The team of researchers analysed factors such as length of tenancy, building type, central heating, housing costs, payment arrears, overcrowding, and expectations around moving. Additionally, data was taken regarding DNA methylation and health information from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) collected from 1,420 BHPS participants.
The study found that individuals who rented privately, failed to make rent payments on time, or lived in a house affected by pollution had signs of faster biological ageing. These findings suggest that housing circumstances can have significant influences on an individual’s health. The researchers also found that people living in social housing were not impacted negatively, partly as a consequence of the security it provides, and lower costs.
The team believes that stress-induced acceleration of epigenetic ageing might contribute to the connection between psychological stress and disease. The researchers concluded that living in a privately rented home is linked to faster biological ageing. They noted that the impact of private renting is more significant compared to experiencing unemployment or being a former smoker versus a never-smoker. Furthermore, the study found that repeated housing arrears and exposure to pollution or environmental problems are also associated with faster biological ageing.
The study signifies that housing circumstances can lead to significant impacts on a person’s health and how it can get under a person’s skin. Therefore, providing access to secure and affordable housing should be made a top priority by governments
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