In a recent study published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, researchers assessed how lifestyle and genetic factors are linked to lifespan using a longitudinal cohort dataset. Their results indicate that there are independent associations of lifestyle & genetic factors with lifespan and that following a healthy lifestyle can mitigate the risk of premature death or a shorter lifespan due to genetic factors. Researchers have identified a 'longevity gene apolipoprotein E and other genetic loci significantly correlated with lifespans.