Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH)
In March '23, the MLSFH team hosted the National Health Sciences Research Committee (NHSRC) chair and additional the NHSRC members to provide updates about current and future MLSFH research.
Funder: U.S. National Institutes on Aging (NIA)
Implementing Partners: Compelling Works | University of Pennsylvania-Population Aging Research Center | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES) Malawi
Project Period: 2023 - 2028
Country: Malawi
Study Title: Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH)--Adversity, Aging, Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) Risk in Malawi: A Biosocial Life-course Approach
The field of aging research is undergoing a paradigm shift, recognizing aging itself as a fundamental cause of morbidity and mortality in older populations. Understanding the aging process, particularly its interaction with social environments and individual behaviors, is crucial for addressing health disparities among the elderly.
Recent studies highlighting variations in biological aging have significantly advanced our understanding of how life-course adversities impact health in disadvantaged populations. However, existing research predominantly focuses on high-income countries (HICs) and underrepresents non-white populations, leaving critical gaps in our knowledge about more diverse groups. These gaps are especially pronounced among the global poor, who experience different socioeconomic and epidemiological conditions and face high disease burdens at older ages, including the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
In response to this paradigm shift, our project aims to be the first to investigate the biosocial determinants of "accelerated aging" in a low-income country (LIC). This phenomenon refers to significant physical and cognitive health declines occurring at younger ages in LICs compared to HICs. Utilizing recent innovations, our project will employ epigenetic aging biomarkers, derived from epigenetic modifications, as intermediate biological aging measures to link life-course adversities with later-life health outcomes.
Objectives:
Life-course Adversities and Epigenetic Aging Biomarkers: To investigate the key factors contributing to accelerated aging in a low-income country (LIC) population with extensive life-course adversities by:
Evaluating existing and novel epigenetic biomarkers of aging.
Examining the relationship between these biomarkers and life-course adversities, health behaviors, and genetic predispositions.
Epigenetic Aging Biomarkers and ADRD Risk Among Older Adults in a Low-Income Country: To investigate the relationship between epigenetic biomarkers and cognitive function/decline, as well as Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), to evaluate the biosocial determinants of ADRD within a low-income country (LIC) population experiencing high levels of adversity.
Key Activities
Collection Dry Blood Samples for DNA Methylation (DNAm) Profiling and DNA Whole-Genome Sequencing.
Collection of survey and health data–two rounds.
Results/Impact (Achieved /anticipated)
To enhance our understanding of the combined effects of social and biological factors on accelerated aging and Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in low-income populations.
To provide critical evidence to inform policy interventions aimed at reducing global disparities in life expectancy and quality of life among older adults.
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