Urbanization exacerbates age-associated declines in cardiometabolic health in Turkana and Orang Asli.

ABSTRACT: Declines in cardiometabolic health among older individuals are so ubiquitous in Western, high-income countries that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease have been termed "diseases of aging". In contrast, research from non-industrial contexts has found low rates of cardiometabolic NCDs in old age, suggesting protective effects of lifestyle. To test if industrialization and urbanization generates or magnifies age-associated cardiometabolic health patterns, within-population analyses are needed. We worked with Turkana pastoralists of Kenya and Orang Asli mixed subsistence groups of Peninsular Malaysia-two groups that are transitioning from non-industrial to urban, market-integrated lifestyles. We find that rural, non-industrial enviro

SUBMITTER: Watowich MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12154990 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature