Social determinants of health and survival in humans and other animals.

Journal Article (Review;Journal Article)

The social environment, both in early life and adulthood, is one of the strongest predictors of morbidity and mortality risk in humans. Evidence from long-term studies of other social mammals indicates that this relationship is similar across many species. In addition, experimental studies show that social interactions can causally alter animal physiology, disease risk, and life span itself. These findings highlight the importance of the social environment to health and mortality as well as Darwinian fitness-outcomes of interest to social scientists and biologists alike. They thus emphasize the utility of cross-species analysis for understanding the predictors of, and mechanisms underlying, social gradients in health.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Snyder-Mackler, N; Burger, JR; Gaydosh, L; Belsky, DW; Noppert, GA; Campos, FA; Bartolomucci, A; Yang, YC; Aiello, AE; O'Rand, A; Harris, KM; Shively, CA; Alberts, SC; Tung, J

Published Date

  • May 2020

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 368 / 6493

Start / End Page

  • eaax9553 -

PubMed ID

  • 32439765

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC7398600

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1095-9203

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0036-8075

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1126/science.aax9553

Language

  • eng