Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic inflammation contributes to atherosclerosis and vascular dysfunction
- Leading cause of death globally
Chronic Diseases
and Aging
Inflammation, Immunity and Healthier Tomorrows.
As we age, the risk of chronic diseases increases. Many of these conditions are closely linked to long-term, low-grade inflammation (inflammaging) and changes in immune-system function. Understanding these connections can help us make informed choices to reduce risk, maintain health, and preserve quality of life.
Explore the science →What Are Chronic Diseases?
Long-lasting conditions that develop over time.
Chronic diseases are long-term health conditions that often progress slowly and can persist for years or decades. They include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, chronic lung diseases, and autoimmune conditions.
While multiple factors contribute to their development, age-related immune changes and chronic inflammation play a central role.
Learn more about chronic diseases →The Growing Impact With Age
Chronic diseases become more common and often coexist in older adults.
Common
Chronic conditions become more common in older adulthood
Often multiple
Several chronic conditions can coexist; prevalence depends on the population and definitions
Leading cause
of disability, hospitalization and mortality worldwide
Key Takeaways
- Chronic diseases are more common with age.
- Chronic inflammation (inflammaging) contributes to many of these conditions.
- Immune-system changes increase susceptibility and can worsen disease progression.
- Multiple conditions often coexist in older adults (multimorbidity).
- Lifestyle choices and medical care can reduce risk and improve outcomes.
Immunosenescence and Inflammaging
Two interconnected features of immune aging.
IMMUNOSENESCENCE
- Changes in immune-cell composition and function, including reduced naïve T and B cells, altered innate responses and impaired immune regulation.
- Can lead to weaker immune responses and increased susceptibility to disease.
INFLAMMAGING
- Chronic, low-grade inflammation characterized by persistent elevation of inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, CRP).
- Driven by multiple factors including cellular senescence, metabolic changes and chronic infections.
- Associated with increased risk of age-related diseases.
How Inflammation Contributes to Disease
Chronic inflammation can affect many organs and systems.
CHRONIC
INFLAMMATION
(inflammaging)
INFLAMMATION
(inflammaging)
Major Chronic Diseases and Their Connection With Aging and Inflammation
Many common diseases share inflammatory and immune-related mechanisms.
Type 2 diabetes
- Associated with chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and immune dysregulation
- Risk increases with age
Cancer
- Aging and inflammaging promote a tumor-supportive environment
- Immune surveillance becomes less effective
- Cancer incidence increases with age
Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s)
- Chronic inflammation and immune activation contribute to neurodegeneration
- Risk increases markedly with age
Chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD)
- Persistent inflammation leads to tissue damage and reduced lung function
- Risk increases with age and environmental exposure
Osteoarthritis
- Low-grade inflammation contributes to cartilage degradation and joint pain
- Prevalence increases with age
Multiple Factors Contribute to Chronic Disease Risk
A combination of biological, environmental and lifestyle factors.
Genetics and family history
Aging immune system
Chronic inflammation (inflammaging)
Metabolic factors (obesity, diabetes)
Environmental exposures (smoking, pollution)
Lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, sleep)
Multimorbidity in Older Adults
Several chronic diseases often occur together.
- Many older adults live with more than one chronic condition.
- Conditions can interact and worsen each other.
- Multimorbidity increases the risk of disability, hospitalization and mortality.
Ways to Reduce Risk and Support Healthy Aging
Evidence-based strategies can help prevent or delay chronic diseases.
Can Inflammaging Be Targeted?
A rapidly evolving area of research.
Healthy Tomorrows Are Within Reach.
While we cannot eliminate aging, many risk factors for chronic diseases are modifiable. By understanding the role of inflammation and immune changes, we can take steps today to stay healthier, more independent and enjoy the years ahead.
Take care of your ImmAge. →Selected sources and references
- Furman et al., 2019 — Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span
- Franceschi et al., 2018 — Inflammaging: a new immune-metabolic viewpoint for age-related diseases
- Nikolich-Žugich, 2018 — The twilight of immunity: emerging concepts in aging of the immune system
Artwork illustrates the main mechanisms schematically; molecular sizes, colors and distances are not literal.