Discrimination can accelerate the biological aging process, as per a recent study led by researchers at the NYU School of Global Public Health. The study connects interpersonal discrimination to molecular level changes, uncovering a potential underlying reason for differences in age-related diseases and mortality. “Experiencing discrimination seems to expedite the aging process, which may be a factor in disease and early death, as well as contributing to health disparities,” stated Adolfo.Assistant Professor Cuevas from NYU’s School of Global Public Health, who is also the senior author of a study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity-Health, conducted research indicating that individuals who face discrimination due to their identity, such as race, gender, weight, or disability, are more likely to suffer from various health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. Although the exact biological reasons for these negative health effects are not completely clear, it is believed that the ongoing activation of the body’s stress response plays a significant role.A growing body of research has found that ongoing exposure to discrimination can impact the biological processes of aging. To better understand this link, Cuevas and his team studied the connection between discrimination and aging by examining three measures of DNA methylation, which is a marker that can show the biological effects of stress and aging. They collected blood samples and surveys from almost 2,000 U.S. adults as part of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, which is a long-term analysis of health and well-being funded by the National Institute on Aging. Participants were asked about their experiences with three different forms of discrimination.
Discrimination comes in various forms: everyday, major, and workplace. Everyday discrimination involves small and subtle acts of disrespect in daily life, while major discrimination encompasses more severe and intense incidents (such as facing physical threats from law enforcement). Workplace discrimination involves unfair treatment, limited career advancement opportunities, and disciplinary actions based on one’s identity.
According to the study, discrimination is associated with accelerated biological aging. Those who reported experiencing more discrimination were found to age faster biologically compared to those who faced less discrimination. Both everyday and major discrimination were linked to this accelerated aging process.
The study found that discrimination is linked to biological aging, with workplace discrimination causing a less severe impact on accelerated aging compared to other forms of discrimination. Further analysis revealed that factors like smoking and body mass index accounted for about half of the association between discrimination and aging, implying that other stress responses to discrimination, such as increased cortisol and poor sleep, are also contributing to accelerated aging. The disparities in aging linked to discrimination are only partially explained by health behaviors, suggesting that there are other processes at play.Cuevas, a core faculty member at the Center for Anti-racism, Social Justice, & Public Health at NYU School of Global Public Health, emphasized the importance of examining the connection between psychosocial stressors and biological aging. The study found that the relationship between discrimination and accelerated biological aging differed based on race. Black participants reported experiencing more discrimination and showed signs of older biological age and faster biological aging. Conversely, White participants, who reported less discrimination, were more affected by discrimination when they did experience it, possibly due to less frequent exposure and fewer coping strategies. ( rnrnData on other racial and ethnic groups were not accessible in the MIDUS study. Cuevas emphasized the significance of addressing all types of discrimination to promote healthy aging and health equity. The study was conducted with the help of researchers such as Steven W. Cole of the University of California, Los Angeles; Daniel W. Belsky of Columbia University; and Anna-Michelle McSorley, Jasmine M. Shon, and Virginia W. Chang of the NYU School of Global Public Health. The MIDUS study is backed by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network and the National Institute on Aging (P01-AG).- The study received funding from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK137246 and R01DK137805) and support from grants (P30-AG034424, T32-AG000048, K12-AG 051726, K23AG049955, F32AG055337, T32-AG000037, K01AG052640, R01AG048835, and R21HD099062) and center grants (P30AG024827, P30AG13305, and P30AG12815).
