A new study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Health and led by researchers at the New York University (NYU) School of Global Public Health finds that discrimination accelerates the biological aging process and that interpersonal discrimination can be traced back to the molecular level. We investigate levels that may be linked to change and uncover potential root causes of age-related disparities in disease and mortality.
“Experiencing discrimination appears to speed up the aging process, contributing to illness and early death, and contributing to health disparities,” said lead author Adolfo Cuevas, assistant professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at New York University’s School of Global Public Health. There is a possibility that it is.” of research.
Evidence shows that people who consistently experience discrimination based on their identity (e.g., disability, gender, weight, race) are at higher risk for a variety of health problems, including heart disease, depression, and high blood pressure. increasing. pressure. Chronic activation of the body’s stress response may be a contributing factor to these poor health conditions, but the exact biological factors are not fully understood. More recent research has linked exposure to persistent discrimination to the biological processes of aging.
To investigate the relationship between discrimination and aging, this study surveyed 2,000 adults enrolled in a midlife longitudinal group with markers that can be used to assess the biological effects of stress and the aging process. We looked at three measurements of certain DNA methylation. Research in the United States (MIDUS).
Blood samples and questionnaires were collected from participants and asked about their experiences with three forms of discrimination: daily life, primary discrimination, and workplace discrimination. Routine discrimination refers to minor and minor instances of disrespect, serious discrimination refers to more serious and severe instances, and workplace discrimination includes unfair practices, inhibition of professional growth, and identity-based punishment. Masu.
According to the researchers, the analysis found that discrimination was associated with accelerated biological aging, with those who reported experiencing more discrimination compared with those who reported experiencing less discrimination. It has been found that biologically, people age faster than in humans. Routine and large-scale discrimination were consistently associated with biological aging, and workplace discrimination was also associated with accelerated aging, although the effects were relatively mild.
Additional analyzes showed that smoking and BMI explained nearly half of the association between discrimination and aging, and that other stress responses to discrimination, such as increased cortisol and sleep deprivation, also contributed to accelerated aging. was suggested. The association between accelerated biological aging and discrimination also varied by race, with Black participants who reported more discrimination being more likely to experience faster biological aging; . However, White participants who reported less discrimination were more susceptible to discrimination.
Professor Cuevas, who is also a principal faculty member at the Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and Public Health, said, “While health behaviors partially explain these disparities, there are a variety of factors that link psychosocial stressors and biological aging.” It’s likely that the process is working.” New York University School of Global Public Health.
“These findings highlight the importance of addressing all forms of discrimination to support healthy aging and promote health equity,” Cuevas added.
