Metabolic dysfunction over a life course key to healthy ageing inequality

TL;DR

This paper explores how metabolic issues throughout life contribute to health inequalities, especially in disadvantaged and ethnic minority groups.

Contribution

The paper introduces CELLO, an interdisciplinary network studying how genetic and environmental factors affect metabolism and health in disadvantaged populations.

Findings

Health disparities are strongly linked to socioeconomic deprivation and affect individuals across their life span.

Ethnic minorities, particularly Black and Asian individuals, experience poorer health at younger ages.

Early-life risk factors like low birth weight are connected to later health conditions in disadvantaged populations.

Abstract

The UK is experiencing a decline in healthy life expectancy, now at 62.4 years for men and 60.9 years for women. Socioeconomic deprivation plays a significant role in health disparities, affecting individuals across the life arc. Girls born in the most deprived areas may live 19 fewer years in good health compared to those in wealthier areas. Health inequalities are particularly severe for ethnic minorities, with Black and Asian individuals reporting poorer health at a younger age. Health inequalities correlate with socioeconomic status. In old age, 2.1 million older adults live in poverty, with Black and Asian communities again disproportionately affected. While ageing increases the risk of morbidities, poor health is not inevitable; however, disadvantaged populations face early-life risk factors, such as low birth weight, linked to future conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. CELLO, an interdisciplinary network, focuses on cellular metabolism throughout life in disadvantaged populations, examining how both genetic and environmental factors shape metabolic dysfunction and contribute to social health inequalities. This review stems from discussions within the network, aiming to advance understanding of healthy ageing across the life course.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-025-03034-3.

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