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Ashe JJ, Evans MK, Zonderman AB, Waldstein SR. Absent Relations of Religious Coping to Telomere Length in African American and White Women and Men. Exp Aging Res 2024; 50:459-481. [PMID: 37258109 PMCID: PMC10687320 DOI: 10.1080/0361073x.2023.2219187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated whether race and sex moderated the relations of religious coping to telomere length (TL), a biomarker of cellular aging implicated in race-related health disparities. METHODS Participant data were drawn from the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study, which included 252 socioeconomically diverse African American and White men and women aged (30-64 years old). Cross-sectional multivariable regression analyses examined interactive associations of religious coping, race, and sex to TL, adjusting for other sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Religious coping was unrelated to TL in this sample (p's > .05). There were no notable race or sex differences. Post hoc exploratory analyses similarly found that neither secular social support coping use nor substance use coping was associated with TL. CONCLUSION There was no evidence to support that religious coping use provided protective effects to TL in this sample of African American and White women and men. Nevertheless, future studies should use more comprehensive assessments of religious coping and intersectional identities to provide an in-depth examination of religiosity/spirituality as a potential culturally salient protective factor in cellular aging among African Americans in the context of specific chronic stressors such as discrimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J. Ashe
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Michele K. Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Alan B. Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, US
| | - Shari R. Waldstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, US
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, US
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2
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Mesa R, Llabre M, Lee D, Rundek T, Kezios K, Hazzouri AZA, Elfassy T. Social Determinants of Health and Biological Age among Diverse U.S. Adults, NHANES 2011-2018. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4540892. [PMID: 38978574 PMCID: PMC11230476 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4540892/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
We examined the sex-specific association between education and income with biological age (BA) and by race/ethnicity. The Klemera-Doubal method was used to calculate BA among 6,213 females and 5,938 males aged 30-75 years who were Hispanic, non-Hispanic (NH) White, NH Black (NHB), or NH Asian (NHA). Compared with a college education, less than a high school education was associated with greater BA by 3.06 years (95% CI: 1.58, 4.54) among females only; associations were strongest among NHB, Hispanic, and NHA females. Compared with an annual income of ≥$75,000, an income <$25,000 was associated with greater BA by 4.95 years (95% CI: 3.42, 6.48) among males and 2.76 years among females (95% CI: 1.51, 4.01); associations were strongest among NHW and NHA adults, and Hispanic males. Targeting upstream sources of structural disadvantage among racial/ethnic minority groups, in conjunction with improvements in income and education, may promote healthy aging in these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Mesa
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
| | | | - David Lee
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
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3
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Gudenkauf LM, Hathaway CA, Carroll JE, Small BJ, Li X, Hoogland AI, Castro E, Armaiz-Pena GN, Oswald LB, Jim HSL, Tworoger SS, Gonzalez BD. Inequities in the Impacts of Hurricanes and Other Extreme Weather Events for Cancer Survivors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024; 33:771-778. [PMID: 38385842 PMCID: PMC11147728 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-1029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
In this minireview, we examine the impacts of hurricanes and other extreme weather events on cancer survivors, focusing on structural and social determinants of health. We briefly explore influences on biological, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes and discuss risk and resilience factors in cancer survivorship during and after hurricanes. Our goal is to inform future directions for research that can identify areas in which we can most efficiently improve cancer outcomes and inform changes in health systems, clinical practice, and public health policies. This timely minireview provides researchers and clinicians with an overview of challenges and opportunities for improving disaster preparedness and response for cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Gudenkauf
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | | | - Judith E Carroll
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brent J Small
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Xiaoyin Li
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Aasha I Hoogland
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Eida Castro
- School of Behavior and Brain Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Guillermo N Armaiz-Pena
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Laura B Oswald
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Heather S L Jim
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Shelley S Tworoger
- Department of Cancer Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Brian D Gonzalez
- Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
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4
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Ruiz-Narváez EA, Cozier Y, Zirpoli G, Rosenberg L, Palmer JR. Perceived Experiences of racism in Relation to Genome-Wide DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Aging in the Black Women's Health Study. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024:10.1007/s40615-024-01915-3. [PMID: 38324238 PMCID: PMC11303595 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-01915-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND African American women have a disproportionate burden of disease compared to US non-Hispanic white women. Exposure to psychosocial stressors may contribute to these health disparities. Racial discrimination, a major stressor for African American women, could affect health through epigenetic mechanisms. METHODS We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to examine the association of interpersonal racism (in daily life and in institutional settings) with DNA methylation in blood in 384 participants of the Black Women's Health Study (BWHS). We also evaluated whether a greater number of perceived experiences of racism was associated with epigenetic aging as measured using different methylation clocks. Models were adjusted for chronological age, body mass index, years of education, neighborhood SES, geographic region of residence, alcohol drinking, smoking, and technical covariates. RESULTS Higher scores of racism in daily life were associated with higher methylation levels at the cg04494873 site in chromosome 5 (β = 0.64%; 95% CI = 0.41%, 0.87%; P = 6.35E-08). We also replicated one CpG site, cg03317714, which was inversely associated with racial discrimination in a previous EWAS among African American women. In the BWHS, higher scores of racism in daily life were associated with lower methylation levels at that CpG site (β = -0.94%; 95% CI = -1.37%, -0.51%; P = 2.2E-05). Higher racism scores were associated with accelerated epigenetic aging in more than one methylation clock. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to discriminatory events may affect the epigenome and accelerate biological aging, which may explain in part the earlier onset of disease in African American women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward A Ruiz-Narváez
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, 1860 SPH I, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Yvette Cozier
- Slone Epidemiology Center at, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gary Zirpoli
- Slone Epidemiology Center at, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lynn Rosenberg
- Slone Epidemiology Center at, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie R Palmer
- Slone Epidemiology Center at, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Diniz BS, Seitz-Holland J, Sehgal R, Kasamoto J, Higgins-Chen AT, Lenze E. Geroscience-Centric Perspective for Geriatric Psychiatry: Integrating Aging Biology With Geriatric Mental Health Research. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:1-16. [PMID: 37845116 PMCID: PMC10841054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
The geroscience hypothesis asserts that physiological aging is caused by a small number of biological pathways. Despite the explosion of geroscience research over the past couple of decades, the research on how serious mental illnesses (SMI) affects the biological aging processes is still in its infancy. In this review, we aim to provide a critical appraisal of the emerging literature focusing on how we measure biological aging systematically, and in the brain and how SMIs affect biological aging measures in older adults. We will also review recent developments in the field of cellular senescence and potential targets for interventions for SMIs in older adults, based on the geroscience hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breno S Diniz
- UConn Center on Aging & Department of Psychiatry (BSD), School of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT.
| | - Johanna Seitz-Holland
- Department of Psychiatry (JSH), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry (JSH), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Raghav Sehgal
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (RS, JK), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Jessica Kasamoto
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (RS, JK), Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Albert T Higgins-Chen
- Department of Psychiatry (ATHC), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Pathology (ATHC), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Eric Lenze
- Department of Psychiatry (EL), School of Medicine, Washington University at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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6
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Brady SS, Arguedas A, Huling JD, Hellemann G, Lewis CE, Fok CS, Van Den Eeden SK, Markland AD. Discrimination and bladder health among women in the CARDIA cohort study: Life course and intersectionality perspectives. Soc Sci Med 2024; 341:116547. [PMID: 38159485 PMCID: PMC10840419 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examines whether discriminatory experiences are associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and their impact among 972 women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort study, which recruited participants from 4 cities in the United States. METHOD Exposure to discrimination was assessed 3 times (1992-93, 2000-01, 2010-11) and averaged across assessments. Participants separately reported whether they experienced discrimination on the basis of their gender, race or color, and socioeconomic position or social class. For each social identity, discrimination was assessed in 6-7 settings (e.g., when getting a job, medical care, or housing). At different time points, women who reported discriminatory experiences for a given social identity were asked how frequently the discrimination occurred and how stressful experience(s) were. Following the 2010-11 assessment, data on LUTS and their impact were collected. Women were classified into bladder health versus mild, moderate, or severe symptoms/impact clusters. RESULTS More Black than White women reported discriminatory experiences across all social identities and most settings. Perceived stress of discriminatory experiences did not differ between Black and White women. In analyses stratified by race and social identity, White women reported LUTS/impact with discriminatory experiences in more settings, more frequent discriminatory experiences across settings, and each additional social identity for which discrimination was experienced. Black women reported LUTS/impact with more frequent discriminatory experiences across settings. For Black women, greater perceived stress of both gender and race discrimination were associated with LUTS/impact. For White women, only greater perceived stress of race discrimination was associated with LUTS/impact. CONCLUSIONS This is one of the first studies to examine discrimination in relation to LUTS/impact. Additional research is needed to better understand differences in how discriminatory experiences based on potentially intersecting identities may be related to bladder health among women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya S Brady
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Program in Health Disparities Research, 717 Delaware Street SE, Suite 166, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
| | - Andrés Arguedas
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, University Office Plaza 2221 University Ave SE, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
| | - Jared D Huling
- Division of Biostatistics, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, University Office Plaza 2221 University Ave SE, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
| | - Gerhard Hellemann
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Ryals Public Health Building (RPHB), 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| | - Cora E Lewis
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health, Ryals Public Health Building (RPHB), 1665 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
| | - Cynthia S Fok
- Department of Urology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Mayo Building 420 Delaware St. Se. MMC 394, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
| | - Stephen K Van Den Eeden
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, 2000 Broadway Oakland, CA, 94612, USA; Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
| | - Alayne D Markland
- Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, 933 19th Street South, CH19 201 Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA; Birmingham VA Medical Center, 700 19th St S, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA.
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7
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Thayer Z, Becares L, Marks E, Ly K, Walker C. Maternal racism experience and cultural identity in relation to offspring telomere length. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10458. [PMID: 37380710 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37555-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Racism is a determinant of individual and offspring health. Accelerated telomere shortening, an indicator of cellular aging, is a potential mechanism through which parental experience of racism could affect offspring. Here we longitudinally evaluated the relationship between maternal lifetime experience of an ethnically-motivated verbal or physical attack, as reported in pregnancy, with offspring telomere length in 4.5-year-old children. We also explored the potential association between positive feelings about one's culture and offspring telomere length. Data come from a nationally representative, multi-ethnic birth cohort in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) (Māori N = 417, Pacific N = 364, Asian N = 381). In models adjusting for covariates, including socioeconomic status and health status, Māori mothers who experienced an ethnically-motivated physical attack had children with significantly shorter telomere length than children of Māori mothers who did not report an attack (B = - 0.20, p = 0.01). Conversely, Māori mothers who had positive feelings about their culture had offspring with significantly longer telomeres (B = 0.25, p = 0.02). Our results suggest that ethnicity-based health inequities are shaped by racism, with impacts for clinical care and policy. Future research should also evaluate the potential protective effects of positive cultural identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaneta Thayer
- Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Laia Becares
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emma Marks
- Centre for Longitudinal Research-He Arak i Mua, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kien Ly
- Centre for Longitudinal Research-He Arak i Mua, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Caroline Walker
- Centre for Longitudinal Research-He Arak i Mua, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Lai KY, Webster C, Kumari S, Gallacher JEJ, Sarkar C. The associations of socioeconomic status with incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease are modified by leucocyte telomere length: a population-based cohort study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6163. [PMID: 37061546 PMCID: PMC10105714 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32974-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Socio-economic status (SES) and biological aging are risk factors for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, however, it is less clear if the associations with SES vary sufficiently across different biological age strata. We used data from 331,066 UK Biobank participants aged 38-73 with mean follow-up of 12 years to examine if associations between SES (assessed by educational attainment, employment status and household income) and dementia and Alzheimer's disease are modified by biological age (assessed by leucocyte telomere length: LTL). Diagnosis of events was ascertained through hospital admissions data. Cox regressions were used to estimate hazard ratios [HRs]. A consistent dose-response relationship was found, with participants in low SES and shorter LTL strata (double-exposed group) reporting 3.28 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.57-4.20) and 3.44 (95% CI 2.35-5.04) times higher risks of incident dementia and Alzheimer's disease respectively, compared to those of high SES and longer LTL (least-exposed group). Of interest is a synergistic interaction between SES and LTL to increase risk of dementia (RERI 0.57, 95% CI 0.07-1.06) and Alzheimer's disease (RERI 0.79, 95% CI 0.02-1.56). Our findings that SES and biological age (LTL) are synergistic risk factors of dementia and Alzheimer's disease may suggest the need to target interventions among vulnerable sub-groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Yan Lai
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Chris Webster
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Sarika Kumari
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - John E J Gallacher
- Dementias Platform UK, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Chinmoy Sarkar
- Healthy High Density Cities Lab, HKUrbanLab, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
- Dementias Platform UK, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK.
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Carroll JE, Price JE, Brown J, Bamishigbin O, Shalowitz MU, Ramey S, Dunkel Schetter C. Lifetime discrimination in low to middle income mothers and cellular aging: A prospective analysis. Soc Sci Med 2022; 311:115356. [PMID: 36122526 PMCID: PMC10024938 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiences of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, and other characteristics are associated with adverse health outcomes, including elevated rates of morbidity in later life and earlier mortality. Acceleration of biological aging is a plausible pathway linking discrimination to disease risk. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship of self-reported lifetime and everyday discrimination to women's telomere length several years after birth of a child in a longitudinal cohort study. METHODS The Community Child Health Network (CCHN) conducted a community-based participatory research project focused on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in maternal and child health. Data for the current substudy are from a longitudinal cohort study in 3 of the 5 project sites. This multi-site community-based longitudinal study was conducted in Lake County, IL north of Chicago, Washington, D.C., and rural North Carolina. Participants were low to middle-income mothers (N = 103) with a primary identity of Hispanic/Latina, Black, or non-Hispanic White who rated their experience of everyday and lifetime discrimination during an at-home interview one-month postpartum. Buccal samples were collected to assay buccal cell telomere length several years later when a consecutive child was 3-5 years of age. Telomere length derived from buccal cells was used as a biomarker indicating cellular aging and a risk factor for age-related disease. RESULTS Mothers (18-39 years old) who reported higher lifetime discrimination had shorter telomere length an average of 5.6 years later (B = -0.22 [SE = 0.04], p < 0.001). Mother's reports of everyday discrimination were not significantly related to telomere length (0.01[0.01], p = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that lifetime exposure to discrimination, but not necessarily current reports of everyday discrimination, may increase biological aging as indicated by shorter buccal cell telomere length, providing evidence of a plausible route through which discrimination contributes to increased risk for earlier onset aging and age-related disease in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith E Carroll
- University of California, Los Angeles, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, United States.
| | - Jonah Eliezer Price
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, United States
| | - Joni Brown
- University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, United States
| | | | - Madeleine U Shalowitz
- NorthShore University HealthSystem, Department of Pediatrics, Rush University, Department of Psychiatry, United States
| | - Sharon Ramey
- Virginia Tech, Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Human Development, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine and Pediatrics, United States
| | - Christine Dunkel Schetter
- University of California, Los Angeles, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Science, David Geffen School of Medicine, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, United States; University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Psychology, United States
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Lawrence JA, Kawachi I, White K, Bassett MT, Priest N, Masunga JG, Cory HJ, Mita C, Williams DR. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Everyday Discrimination Scale and biomarker outcomes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 142:105772. [PMID: 35490482 PMCID: PMC9997446 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Discrimination has consistently been associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. Like other psychosocial stressors, discrimination is thought to impact health through stress-related physiologic pathways including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation, dysregulation of inflammation responses, and accelerated cellular aging. Given growing attention to research examining the biological pathways through which discrimination becomes embodied, this systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes empirical evidence examining relationships between self-reported discrimination and four biomarker outcomes (i.e., cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and telomere length) among studies that have used the Everyday Discrimination Scale. We conducted a systematic review of studies discussing self-reported, everyday, or chronic discrimination in the context of health by searching Medline / PubMed (National Library of Medicine, NCBI), PsycInfo (APA, Ebsco) and Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate). Twenty-five articles met the criteria for meta-analysis, with several reporting on multiple outcomes. Discrimination was associated with elevated CRP levels (r = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.20, k = 10), though not cortisol (r = 0.05; 95% CI: -0.06, 0.16, k = 9), IL-6 (r = 0.05; 95% CI: -0.32, 0.42, k = 5), or telomere length (r = 0.03; 95% CI: -0.01, 0.07, k = 6). We identify several points of consideration for future research including addressing heterogeneity in assessment of biomarker outcomes and the need for longitudinal assessments of relationships between discrimination and biomarker outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jourdyn A Lawrence
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Population Health Sciences, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA; François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kellee White
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Mary T Bassett
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naomi Priest
- Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joan Gakii Masunga
- Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah J Cory
- Population Health Sciences, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carol Mita
- Countway Library, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David R Williams
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of African and African American Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
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11
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Dhaliwal R, Pereira RI, Diaz-Thomas AM, Powe CE, Yanes Cardozo LL, Joseph JJ. Eradicating Racism: An Endocrine Society Policy Perspective. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:1205-1215. [PMID: 35026013 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Endocrine Society recognizes racism as a root cause of the health disparities that affect racial/ethnic minority communities in the United States and throughout the world. In this policy perspective, we review the sources and impact of racism on endocrine health disparities and propose interventions aimed at promoting an equitable, diverse, and just healthcare system. Racism in the healthcare system perpetuates health disparities through unequal access and quality of health services, inadequate representation of health professionals from racial/ethnic minority groups, and the propagation of the erroneous belief that socially constructed racial/ethnic groups constitute genetically and biologically distinct populations. Unequal care, particularly for common endocrine diseases such as diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and thyroid disease, results in high morbidity and mortality for individuals from racial/ethnic minority groups, leading to a high socioeconomic burden on minority communities and all members of our society. As health professionals, researchers, educators, and leaders, we have a responsibility to take action to eradicate racism from the healthcare system. Achieving this goal would result in high-quality health care services that are accessible to all, diverse workforces that are representative of the communities we serve, inclusive and equitable workplaces and educational settings that foster collaborative teamwork, and research systems that ensure that scientific advancements benefit all members of our society. The Endocrine Society will continue to prioritize and invest resources in a multifaceted approach to eradicate racism, focused on educating and engaging current and future health professionals, teachers, researchers, policy makers, and leaders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruban Dhaliwal
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Rocio I Pereira
- Denver Health, Denver, Colorado, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado 80204, USA
| | - Alicia M Diaz-Thomas
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, USA
| | - Camille E Powe
- Endocrine Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Licy L Yanes Cardozo
- Departments of Cell and Molecular Biology and Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi 39216, USA
| | - Joshua J Joseph
- The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
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12
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Noren Hooten N, Pacheco NL, Smith JT, Evans MK. The accelerated aging phenotype: The role of race and social determinants of health on aging. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 73:101536. [PMID: 34883202 PMCID: PMC10862389 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The pursuit to discover the fundamental biology and mechanisms of aging within the context of the physical and social environment is critical to designing interventions to prevent and treat its complex phenotypes. Aging research is critically linked to understanding health disparities because these inequities shape minority aging, which may proceed on a different trajectory than the overall population. Health disparities are characteristically seen in commonly occurring age-associated diseases such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease as well as diabetes mellitus and cancer. The early appearance and increased severity of age-associated disease among African American and low socioeconomic status (SES) individuals suggests that the factors contributing to the emergence of health disparities may also induce a phenotype of 'premature aging' or 'accelerated aging' or 'weathering'. In marginalized and low SES populations with high rates of early onset age-associated disease the interaction of biologic, psychosocial, socioeconomic and environmental factors may result in a phenotype of accelerated aging biologically similar to premature aging syndromes with increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, premature accumulation of oxidative DNA damage, defects in DNA repair and higher levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Health disparities, therefore, may be the end product of this complex interaction in populations at high risk. This review will examine the factors that drive both health disparities and the accelerated aging phenotype that ultimately contributes to premature mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Noren Hooten
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Natasha L Pacheco
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Jessica T Smith
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Michele K Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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13
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Telomeres: New players in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases? J Autoimmun 2021; 123:102699. [PMID: 34265700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of linear chromosomes that preserve the integrity and stability of the genome. Telomere dysfunctions due to short telomeres or altered telomere structures can ultimately lead to replicative cellular senescence and chromosomal instability, both mechanisms being hallmarks of ageing. Chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and finally telomere length (TL) dynamics have been shown to be involved in various age-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), including affections such as inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis and uveitis belong to this group of age-related NCDs. Although in recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of studies in the literature linking these IMIDs to TL dynamics, the causality between these diseases and telomere attrition is still unclear and controversial. In this review, we provide an overview of available studies on telomere dynamics and discuss the utility of TL measurements in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Discrimination and Leukocyte Telomere Length by Depressive Symptomatology: The Jackson Heart Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9060639. [PMID: 34071160 PMCID: PMC8226992 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9060639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Psychosocial stressors, such as perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms, may shorten telomeres and exacerbate aging-related illnesses. Methods: Participants from the Jackson Heart Study at visit 1 (2000–2004) with LTL data and Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) scores (n = 580 men, n = 910 women) were utilized. The dimensions of discrimination scores (everyday, lifetime, burden of lifetime, and stress from lifetime discrimination) were standardized and categorized as low, moderate, and high. Coping responses to everyday and lifetime discrimination were categorized as passive and active coping. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to estimate the mean difference (standard errors-SEs) in LTL by dimensions of discrimination and coping responses stratified by CES-D scores < 16 (low) and ≥ 16 (high) and sex. Covariates were age, education, waist circumference, smoking and CVD status. Results: Neither everyday nor lifetime discrimination was associated with mean differences in LTL for men or women by levels of depressive symptoms. Burden of lifetime discrimination was marginally associated with LTL among women who reported low depressive symptoms after full adjustment (b = 0.11, SE = 0.06, p = 0.08). Passive coping with lifetime discrimination was associated with longer LTL among men who reported low depressive symptoms after full adjustment (b = 0.18, SE = 0.09, p < 0.05); and active coping with lifetime discrimination was associated with longer LTL among men who reported high depressive symptoms after full adjustment (b = 1.18, SE = 0.35, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The intersection of perceived discrimination and depressive symptomatology may be related to LTL, and the effects may vary by sex.
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Beatty Moody DL, Waldstein SR, Leibel DK, Hoggard LS, Gee GC, Ashe JJ, Brondolo E, Al-Najjar E, Evans MK, Zonderman AB. Race and other sociodemographic categories are differentially linked to multiple dimensions of interpersonal-level discrimination: Implications for intersectional, health research. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251174. [PMID: 34010303 PMCID: PMC8133471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To examine whether intersections of race with other key sociodemographic categories contribute to variations in multiple dimensions of race- and non-race-related, interpersonal-level discrimination and burden in urban-dwelling African Americans and Whites. Methods Data from 2,958 participants aged 30–64 in the population-based Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study were used to estimate up to four-way interactions of race, age, gender, and poverty status with reports of racial and everyday discrimination, discrimination across multiple social statuses, and related lifetime discrimination burden in multiple regression models. Results We observed that: 1) African Americans experienced all forms of discrimination more frequently than Whites, but this finding was qualified by interactions of race with age, gender, and/or poverty status; 2) older African Americans, particularly African American men, and African American men living in poverty reported the greatest lifetime discrimination burden; 3) older African Americans reported greater racial discrimination and greater frequency of multiple social status-based discrimination than younger African Americans; 4) African American men reported greater racial and everyday discrimination and a greater frequency of social status discrimination than African American women; and, 5) White women reported greater frequency of discrimination than White men. All p’s < .05. Conclusions Within African Americans, older, male individuals with lower SES experienced greater racial, lifetime, and multiple social status-based discrimination, but this pattern was not observed in Whites. Among Whites, women reported greater frequency of discrimination across multiple social statuses and other factors (i.e., gender, income, appearance, and health status) than men. Efforts to reduce discrimination-related health disparities should concurrently assess dimensions of interpersonal-level discrimination across multiple sociodemographic categories, while simultaneously considering the broader socioecological context shaping these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle L. Beatty Moody
- Department of Human Services Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Shari R. Waldstein
- Department of Human Services Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daniel K. Leibel
- Department of Human Services Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Lori S. Hoggard
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Gilbert C. Gee
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Ashe
- Department of Human Services Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Brondolo
- Department of Psychology, St. John’s University, Queens, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Elias Al-Najjar
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michele K. Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alan B. Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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16
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Luo L, Buxton OM, Gamaldo AA, Almeida DM, Xiao Q. Opposite educational gradients in sleep duration between Black and White adults, 2004-2018. Sleep Health 2021; 7:3-9. [PMID: 33358437 PMCID: PMC8783663 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the heterogeneous effects of education on sleep duration for Black and White adults and how the education effects changed between 2004 and 2018. METHODS A total of 251,994 adult participants in the 2004 to 2018 National Health Interview Survey were included in pooled cross-sectional data analyses. Separately for Black and White men and women, we calculated prevalence ratio and average marginal probability of short sleep (<7 hours) for each education level over the study period based on weighted logistic regression models. RESULTS Opposite educational gradients in short sleep were observed between Black and White adults. Greater educational attainment was associated with lower likelihood of short sleep among White adults but higher likelihood of short sleep among Black adults. Such heterogeneous educational gradients were robust after accounting for a set of socioeconomic, family, and health factors and persisted between 2004 and 2018. CONCLUSIONS The health implications of education are not uniform in the US population, and heterogeneous education effects on sleep duration persisted over the past decade. More scholarly attention is needed to identify challenges and barriers that may be unique for race, sex, and education subpopulations to maintain healthy sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Luo
- Pennsylvania State Unviersity, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Orfeu M Buxton
- Pennsylvania State Unviersity, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alyssa A Gamaldo
- Pennsylvania State Unviersity, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David M Almeida
- Pennsylvania State Unviersity, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qian Xiao
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston Texas, USA
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17
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Thomas MD, Sohail S, Mendez RM, Márquez-Magaña L, Allen AM. Racial Discrimination and Telomere Length in Midlife African American Women: Interactions of Educational Attainment and Employment Status. Ann Behav Med 2020; 55:601-611. [PMID: 33289498 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaaa104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the life course, African American (AA) women have faster telomere attrition, a biological indicator of accelerated aging, than White women. Race, sex, age, and composite socioeconomic status (SES) modify associations of institutional racial discrimination and telomere length. However, interactions with everyday racial discrimination have not been detected in AA women, nor have interactions with individual socioeconomic predictors. PURPOSE We estimated statistical interaction of institutional and everyday racial discrimination with age, education, employment, poverty, and composite SES on telomere length among midlife AA women. METHODS Data are from a cross-section of 140 AA women aged 30-50 years residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants completed questionnaires, computer-assisted self-interviews, physical examinations, and blood draws. Adjusted linear regression estimated bootstrapped racial discrimination-relative telomere length associations with interaction terms. RESULTS Racial discrimination did not interact with age, poverty, or composite SES measures to modify associations with telomere length. Interactions between independent SES variables were nonsignificant for everyday discrimination whereas institutional discrimination interacted with educational attainment and employment status to modify telomere length. After adjusting for covariates, we found that higher institutional discrimination was associated with shorter telomeres among employed women with lower education (β = -0.020; 95% confidence interval = -0.036, -0.003). Among unemployed women with higher education, higher institutional discrimination was associated with longer telomeres (β = 0.017; 95% confidence interval = 0.003, 0.032). Factors related to having a post-high school education may be protective against the negative effects of institutional racism on cellular aging for AA women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn D Thomas
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, San Francisco, CA, USA.,University of California, San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Saba Sohail
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca M Mendez
- San Francisco State University, Department of Biology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Amani M Allen
- University of California, Berkeley, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA.,University of California, Berkeley, Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA
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18
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Bonney EA, Elovitz MA, Mysorekar IU. Diversity is essential for good science and reproductive science is no different: a response to the recent formulation of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Pregnancy Think-Tank. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 223:950-951. [PMID: 32791125 PMCID: PMC7416676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT
| | - Michal A Elovitz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Research Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Indira U Mysorekar
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
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Coimbra BM, Carvalho CM, Ota VK, Vieira-Fonseca T, Bugiga A, Mello AF, Mello MF, Belangero SI. A systematic review on the effects of social discrimination on telomere length. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 120:104766. [PMID: 32603955 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Discrimination is unfair treatment against a certain group based on race, age, gender, sexual orientation, or other social identities. Discrimination is pervasive in society, elevates psychosocial stress, and is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes. However, more research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms underlying discrimination-related health disparities. Telomere science may contribute to elucidate some of these aspects. Telomeres are protein-DNA complexes that shorten after cell division and are valuable markers of cellular aging. Short telomeres have been associated with the onset of age-related diseases. Evidence shows that chronic psychological stress may accelerate telomere shortening. Since discrimination can lead to psychological strain with cumulative impact on general health, we hypothesized that groups that report more discrimination show reduced telomere length (TL) as a consequence of psychosocial stress elevation. Through a systematic review of the literature we found 12 articles that met our criteria. Eligible studies measured racial, gender, unfair policing, and multiple forms of discrimination in association with TL. Our review showed mixed results, suggesting that there is weak evidence of a main association between discrimination and TL. However, discrimination may interact with several variables (such as depressive symptoms, acculturation, higher socioeconomic status, internalization of negative racial bias, and not discussing discrimination experiences with others) and contribute to shorten telomeres. Discrimination is a complex social construct composed of a vast sum of experiences, impressions, and contexts that in combination with other sources of stress may have an impact on TL. Telomeres may be a plausible pathway to investigate health discrepancies in discriminated groups in society, but more evidence is needed to investigate the potential harm of discrimination on cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Messina Coimbra
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Carolina Muniz Carvalho
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC, Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Kiyomi Ota
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC, Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tamiris Vieira-Fonseca
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC, Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Bugiga
- Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC, Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andrea Feijó Mello
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Feijó Mello
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Program for Research and Care on Violence and PTSD (PROVE), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sintia Iole Belangero
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Morphology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil; LiNC, Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele K Evans
- From the National Institute on Aging, Baltimore (M.K.E.); and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston (L.R.)
| | - Lisa Rosenbaum
- From the National Institute on Aging, Baltimore (M.K.E.); and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston (L.R.)
| | - Debra Malina
- From the National Institute on Aging, Baltimore (M.K.E.); and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston (L.R.)
| | - Stephen Morrissey
- From the National Institute on Aging, Baltimore (M.K.E.); and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston (L.R.)
| | - Eric J Rubin
- From the National Institute on Aging, Baltimore (M.K.E.); and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston (L.R.)
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21
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Chae DH, Wang Y, Martz CD, Slopen N, Yip T, Adler NE, Fuller-Rowell TE, Lin J, Matthews KA, Brody GH, Spears EC, Puterman E, Epel ES. Racial discrimination and telomere shortening among African Americans: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Health Psychol 2020; 39:209-219. [PMID: 31928029 PMCID: PMC7373166 DOI: 10.1037/hea0000832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Telomeres are protective sequences of DNA capping the ends of chromosomes that shorten over time. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is posited to reflect the replicative history of cells and general systemic aging of the organism. Chronic stress exposure leads to accelerated LTL shortening, which has been linked to increased susceptibility to and faster progression of aging-related diseases. This study examined longitudinal associations between LTL and experiences of racial discrimination, a qualitatively unique source of minority psychosocial stress, among African Americans. METHOD Data are from 391 African Americans in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Telomere Ancillary Study. We examined the number of domains in which racial discrimination was experienced in relation to LTL collected in Years 15 and 25 (Y15: 2000/2001; Y25: 2010/2011). Multivariable linear regression examined if racial discrimination was associated with LTL. Latent change score analysis (LCS) examined changes in racial discrimination and LTL in relation to one another. RESULTS Controlling for racial discrimination at Y15, multivariable linear regression analyses indicated that racial discrimination at Y25 was significantly associated with LTL at Y25. This relationship remained robust after adjusting for LTL at Y15 (b = -.019, p = .015). Consistent with this finding, LCS revealed that increases in experiences of racial discrimination were associated with faster 10-year LTL shortening (b = -.019, p = .015). CONCLUSIONS This study adds to evidence that racial discrimination contributes to accelerated physiologic weathering and health declines among African Americans through its impact on biological systems, including via its effects on telomere attrition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Chae
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University
| | - Yijie Wang
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University
| | - Connor D Martz
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University
| | - Natalie Slopen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland
| | - Tiffany Yip
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University
| | - Nancy E Adler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco
| | | | - Gene H Brody
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia
| | - Erica C Spears
- Department of Health Behavior and Health Systems, University of North Texas Health Science Center
| | - Eli Puterman
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
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22
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The Psilocybin-Telomere Hypothesis: An empirically falsifiable prediction concerning the beneficial neuropsychopharmacological effects of psilocybin on genetic aging. Med Hypotheses 2020; 134:109406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Needham BL, Salerno S, Roberts E, Boss J, Allgood KL, Mukherjee B. Do black/white differences in telomere length depend on socioeconomic status? BIODEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL BIOLOGY 2019; 65:287-312. [PMID: 33243026 PMCID: PMC7703670 DOI: 10.1080/19485565.2020.1765734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Social and economic disadvantage are hypothesized to increase the risk of disease and death via accelerated biological aging. Given that US blacks are socially and economically disadvantaged relative to whites, health disparities scholars expected that blacks would have shorter telomere length-a biomarker of cell aging-than whites. Yet the majority of studies have found that blacks have longer telomere length than whites. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 3,761; 28.3% non-Hispanic black, 71.7% non-Hispanic white), we found that leukocyte telomere length was 4.00% (95% CI: 1.12%, 6.87%) longer among blacks compared to whites in the full sample, but differences were greatest among those with lower SES (5.66%; 95% CI: 0.10%, 10.32%), intermediate among those with middle SES (4.14%; 95% CI: 0.05%, 8.24%), and smallest among those with higher SES (2.33%; 95% CI: -3.02%, 7.67%). These results challenge purely genetic explanations for race differences in telomere length and point to a potential social-environmental cause of longer telomere length in US blacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda L. Needham
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan
| | | | | | | | - Kristi L. Allgood
- Department of Epidemiology and Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan
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