Living up to 100 years can be achieved and it’s not only good genes that you need. Scientists analysed data from the state of Washington, to find out what contributes to the likelihood of becoming a centenarian, and released the key findings: Location, the type of community, and socioeconomic status.

How to live up to 100, according to science

Longevity and vitality are important factors that everyone would like to improve. If you are wondering what does it take to live up to 100 years, you’ll appreciate the key findings of the recent research by scientists from Washington State University.

• People living in walkable, mixed-age communities have the highest chances of living up to their 100th birthdays.
• The best chance is in urban areas and smaller towns with high socioeconomic status.

This is another prime example showing that both social and environmental factors contribute to a person’s longevity.

Other studies pointed out that genetics could only be held responsible for 20-35% share of the probability to live a long life.

But even with genetic factors stacked against you, it’s possible to modify behaviours and reduce susceptibility to illnesses. The authors of the new research believe that environmental factors that support healthy aging also contribute to this shift.

How to become a centenarian

The study looked at death records of over 140,000 people in Washington aged 75 and over in 2011-2015. Scientists looked at the place of residence, gender, race, education, and marital status.

Various locations were assigned scores based on data from several agencies such as EPA and the American Community Survey. The factors includes variables such as the presence of parks and walking tracks, rural vs. urban, pollution, poverty level, access to primary and transit care, as well as the percentage of working age population.

The following factors appear to be positively linked to the chance of living up to 100 years:

1. High percentage of working age population (i.e. age diversity).
2. Ability to walk.
3. High socioeconomic status (low poverty level).

Thus, researchers concluded that mixed-aged communities are more beneficial for longevity than places where only older people congregate (retirement communities).

The data also supports development of areas where people can walk and exercise.

In urban areas older people also tend to be less isolated, which could contribute to lessening the feeling of loneliness.

Other factors:

• Women are more likely to live up to 100.
• White people tend to have a higher chance of reaching centenarian age than from African or Native American backgrounds.

However, while there is a link between certain factors, it cannot be concluded what is the cause and what’s the consequence. For instance, it could be simply that healthier seniors feel strong enough to live in mixed age communities, while people feeling unwell prefer places where around the clock care can be provided.

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