The use of mobile phones could play a role in increasing the longevity of the elderly, a study said Friday.

Professor Kim Jong-in of Wonkwang University led a study aiming to identify the socioeconomic factors at work when a 70-year-old in 1980 gets to live 30 years more, and concluded that the use of mobile handsets was one of the important elements.

The so-called “survival probability of becoming a centenarian,” or SPBC, depends on a set of such factors including gross national income, the proportion of public health spending to gross domestic product and improved sanitary facilities.

The study collected data on some 70,000 people from 32 countries who reached the age of 100 in 2010, based on the United Nations Development Program and Human Mortality Database.

Kim said, when looking at 30-year-long data of centenarians, the use of mobile phones boosted their emotionality and communication skills, as they were able to easily contact people which led to social activities.

They also showed low depression rates and close human relationships with others.

Public welfare also played a big role in the longevity of centenarians. The elderly population received better medical services in countries where the health-care spending was high and proper sanitary facilities were available. 

The study did not cover South Korea due to the lack of HMD data. Instead, Kim included Portugal in the research as the country has a GDP level to that of South Korea.

By Kim Da-sol, Intern reporter (dasolkim@heraldcorp.com)