Lifetime Trajectories and Drivers of Socioeconomic Health Disparities

Abstract

We investigate lifetime socioeconomic health disparities through longitudinal biomarkers from the Dutch Lifelines cohort study and biobank. By constructing an allostatic load index from 12 biomarkers, we analyze the dynamics of health and its association with socioeconomic status (SES) over the life cycle. Our findings reveal that health risks linked to lower SES emerge early and precede chronic disease onset. Further analyses investigate the drivers of allostatic load and emphasize health behaviors. Our research highlights the need for early interventions targeting SES-related health disparities and provides new insights into the physiological pathways linking SES to long-term health outcomes.