| Title: | Associations of a behavioral and mental health score with all-cause and cause-specific mortality and life expectancy: two nationwide cohort studies from the UK and US |
| Journal: | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Published: | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41740762/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121500 |
Publication 17661
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evidence has indicated a healthy lifestyle linked to lower mortality and longer life expectancy, but very few existing health score have included sleep and psychological health. This study developed an updated behavioral and mental health score (BMHS) incorporating these factors and examined its associations with mortality and life expectancy.</p>
METHODS: We prospectively analyzed data from 413,180 participants in the UK Biobank (2006-2022) and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2018). BMHS was constructed based on diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, sleep duration, and depression. Cox models and life tables were used to assess associations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality and life expectancy.</p>
RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 13.3 years, 34,155 deaths occurred. After multivariable adjustment, a higher BMHS was significantly associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality (HR for the highest vs. lowest quintile: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.47-0.67), cardiovascular disease mortality (0.64, 0.59-0.70), cancer mortality (0.62, 0.58-0.65), and other mortality (0.47, 0.31-0.70). A higher score also correlated with longer life expectancy by 5.60 years (3.82-8.19) in the highest versus lowest quintile. Associations were stronger in those aged <65 years or with BMI <25 kg/m2.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: Among UK and US adults, a higher BMHS additionally incorporating sleep and mental health was strongly associated with reduced mortality and longer life expectancy. Our findings suggest that promotion of behavioral and mental health would help to reduce mortality, extend life expectancy, and lower the healthcare burdens.</p>
17 Keywords
- Adult
- Aged
- Cause of Death
- Cohort Studies
- Exercise
- Female
- Humans
- Life Expectancy
- Male
- Mental Health
- Middle Aged
- Mortality
- Nutrition Surveys
- Prospective Studies
- Sleep
- United Kingdom
- United States
12 Authors
- Ling Ye
- Yu Feng
- Ziyue Li
- Bohao Tan
- Haoming Wang
- Yuhao Wang
- Qirui Li
- Shenghua Zhou
- Zhangling Chen
- Geng Zong
- Chengwu Feng
- Kang Wang
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 55005 | Common risk factors and mechanisms in cardiometabolic diseases and neurodegenerative diseases |
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