A new study has shown that a limit to environmental factors has a greater impact on health and premature death than our genes.
A new study led by researchers at Oxford Population Health shows that a range of environmental factors, including lifestyle (smoking and physical activity) and life conditions, has more effect on health and premature death than our genes.
Researchers used data from nearly half a million UK Bio Bank participants to assess 164 environmental factors and the influence of genetic risks.
This study has been published in Nature Medicine. Environmental factors showed 17% of the risk of death, compared to less than 2% genetic effects.
Of the 25 environmental factors identified, smoking, socioeconomic status, physical activity and life conditions have the most effect on death and biological old age.