Climate-related disasters and biological aging based on DNA methylation: A twin and family study in Australian women

Abstract

Background Weather-related disasters are devastating and may exhibit greater intensity globally under a changing climate, leaving survivors with greater and sustained health risks. However, the potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying the persistent adverse health impacts remain unclear. We aimed to examine the association between tropical cyclones (TCs) or flood exposure and biological aging based on DNA methylation. Methods We analysed peripheral blood samples from 479 women in 130 families across Australia and derived six metrics of DNA methylation age acceleration (DNAmAgeAC) for each participant, including Horvath's, Hannum's, and Zhang's DNAmAge, PhenoAge, and GrimAge versions 1 (Gri..