Correlations Between Chronic Inflammation and Poverty and Raised Risk of Mortality
Researchers have conducted an epidemiological analysis on the impact of relative poverty and chronic inflammation on health and life expectancy. It is well known that socioeconomic status is linked to mortality and life span, and there is ongoing debate on the mechanisms involved in this correlation. Chronic inflammation, which increases with age, is disruptive to tissue structure and function, and is known to elevate the risk and progression of age-related fatal conditions. The study reveals that poverty and chronic inflammation together correlate with worse health outcomes. The presence of both poverty and chronic inflammation results in an increased mortality risk, particularly in relation to heart disease and cancer.
The study aimed to determine the synergistic effect of inflammation and poverty on the 15-year risk of all-cause, heart disease, and cancer mortality among US adults. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2002, the researchers found that individuals with elevated inflammation and living in poverty experienced significantly higher mortality risks compared to those with low inflammation and above poverty. The 15-year risk of heart disease and cancer mortality was particularly elevated in individuals with both elevated inflammation and poverty.
Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1261083
