Does arts and cultural engagement get under the skin? Examining epigenetic and physiological markers of ageing in Understanding Society
Engaging in arts and cultural activities is a modifiable social behaviour that has a wide array of health benefits. This includes supporting health across the life course measured via self-report data (e.g., mental health, physical health) and biological and physiological data (e.g., single or combined measures of inflammation, physical performance). However, how arts and cultural activities impact multi-system and composite biological markers of ageing is relatively unknown. Therefore, this project will examine the associations between arts and cultural engagement on biological ageing in adults. I will use two complementary yet distinct measures. The first is epigenetic age measured via epigenetic clocks, an aggregate measure of DNA methylation implicated with ageing. The second is physiological age, a composite measure of stress, inflammation, and physical and cognitive performance. Age acceleration (faster ageing) or age deceleration (slower ageing) will be derived from the difference between biological and chronological age. Moreover, genetic confounding and interaction will be assessed via health-related polygenic scores (PGSs).
This research will contribute to new scientific knowledge by being one of the first-known projects to examine the associations between arts and cultural engagement on biological ageing in adults. This unique approach will highlight the value of integrating biomedical data into social science research. Indeed, recognising that arts and cultural engagement may be an important modifiable lifestyle factor that impacts biological ageing could guide policy to ensure arts and cultural activities are accessible to everyone. This accessibility could help promote healthier biological ageing and potentially reduce mortality and increase longevity.
