Medical Minutes
Goodness gracious, we are so blessed
Showing gratitude may pack some important hidden long-term health benefits. A recent study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is suggesting that experiencing gratitude may help older adults live longer.
“Prior research has shown an association between gratitude and lower risk of mental distress and greater emotional and social wellbeing. However, its association with physical health is less understood,” said lead author Ying Chen, a Harvard research scientist in the Department of Epidemiology.
The researchers used data from the Nurses’ Health Study to assess levels of gratitude and mortality among 49,275 older women. In 2016, participants completed a six-item Gratitude Questionnaire. At that time, the average age of the women was 79. Each one was asked whether they agreed or disagreed with statements such as “I have so much in life to be thankful for” and “If I had to list everything that I felt grateful for, it would be a very long list.”
In 2019, the researchers followed up to identify deaths among the study population, noting all-cause mortality as well as specific causes such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory diseases, neurodegenerative disease, infection, and injury. They observed 4,608 deaths over the course of the study period and cardiovascular disease was the most common cause.
The study found that participants whose gratitude questionnaire scores were in the highest tertile had a 9% lower risk of all-cause mortality over the following four years than those who scored in the bottom tertile. Gratitude appeared protective against every specific cause of mortality studied, most significantly against cardiovascular disease.
To most accurately quantify gratitude’s impact on mortality, the researchers took a “conservative approach” in controlling for sociodemographic data, health history and lifestyle factors. These included social participation, religious involvement and optimism. These factors often overlap with gratitude.
“Prior research indicates that there are ways of intentionally fostering gratitude, such as writing down or discussing what you are grateful for a few times a week,” said Chen. “Promoting healthy aging is a public health priority, and we hope further studies will improve our understanding of gratitude as a psychological resource for enhancing longevity.”
A review of 70 studies that included responses from more than 26,000 adults found an association between higher levels of gratitude and lower levels of depression. Overall, adults with a grateful mindset reported higher satisfaction with life, stronger social relationships and more self-esteem than those who don’t practice gratitude. Feeling grateful can replace anxiety and worrying. It can also help combat negative thinking patterns by keeping thoughts focused on the present.
University classes may help improve care in older adults
The number of aging Americans is projected to more than quadruple over the next three decades from an estimated 101,000 in 2024 to more than 400,000 by 2058, according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau. The population of older Americans (ages 65 and older) rose by more than 9% from 2020 to 2023 alone. The projections show continued trends in an aging society, with older adults expected to outnumber children for the first time in the U.S. by 2034.
To meet the needs of this unique and growing population, the UTSA Department of Sociology and Demography in San Antonio, Texas created a bachelor’s degree program and a minor in Health, Aging and Society. This program, if widely adopted, could be a good way to make significant advances.
“We built the program to introduce students to the sociological study of aging, health and health care,” said Terrence Hill, program director and professor of sociology at UTSA. “This is the most innovative health program at UTSA. We offer the perfect balance of academic and applied training.”
The program features courses on the intersection of social inequalities and population health, aging as a social process, the failing health care system, and careers in the health and social service professions. Since its introduction in 2022, the program has more than tripled in size, reflecting the number of students wishing to take advantage of this program.
“The Health, Aging and Society program’s interdisciplinary approach allows students to fully investigate how social factors influence health and illness in society,” said Ginny Garcia-Alexander, associate professor of sociology at UTSA. “In addition to training on the social and cultural dimensions of health and aging, students are trained in health administration and research methods. This dynamic program paves the way for students to help address the nation’s challenges in aging, health care and health inequities.”
In this area of study, there are now five social determinants of health (SDOH), which become even more critical as we age. They include economic stability, social and community context, education access and quality, health care access and quality, and neighborhood and environment. An aging population means a higher use of health care services, a greater need for professional caregivers and puts more of a focus on taking the whole-lifespan approach to healthy aging by using the SDOH as a guideline, according to the Texas researchers.
“While the aging population presents challenges to the economy, infrastructure and institutions, it also opens up significant job opportunities,” said Zhiyong Lin, assistant professor in UTSA’s sociology and demography department. “Pursuing a major in health, aging and society provides students with the knowledge and expertise to tackle these challenges. It is an ideal time to enter this dynamic and rewarding program to be at the forefront of meeting the needs of our aging society.”
John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute.
