By Stephen Beech via SWNS
Discrimination accelerates aging, according to new research.
Suffering racial or sexual prejudice may speed up the biological processes behind the physical aging process, say American scientists.
Their study links interpersonal discrimination to changes at the molecular level, revealing a potential “root cause” of disparities in aging-related illness and death.
Study senior author Dr. Adolfo Cuevas, of New York University’s School of Global Public Health, said: “Experiencing discrimination appears to hasten the process of aging, which may be contributing to disease and early mortality and fuelling health disparities.”
Previous research has shown that people who experience discrimination based on their identities – such as gender, race, weight, or disability – are at increased risk for health issues including depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
While the exact biological factors are not fully understood, scientists believe chronic activation of the body’s stress response is a likely contributor.
A growing body of research also connects persistent exposure to discrimination to the biological processes of aging.
Dr Cuevas and his colleagues looked at three measures of DNA methylation, a marker that can be used to assess the biological impacts of stress and the aging process.
Blood samples and surveys were collected from almost 2,000 American adults.
The participants were asked about their experiences with three forms of discrimination: every day, major, and workplace.
Everyday discrimination refers to subtle and minor instances of disrespect in daily life, whereas major discrimination focuses on acute and intense instances of discrimination while discrimination in the workplace includes unjust practices, stunted professional opportunities, and punishment based on identity.
The findings, published in the journal Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity-Health, showed that discrimination was linked to accelerated biological aging, with people who reported more discrimination aging faster biologically compared to those who experienced less discrimination.
Everyday and major discrimination was consistently associated with biological aging, while exposure to discrimination in the workplace was also linked to accelerated aging, although its impact was comparatively less severe.
A deeper analysis showed that two health factors – smoking and body mass index (BMI) – explained around half of the association between discrimination and aging.
The researchers say the findings suggest that other stress responses to discrimination – such as increased cortisol and poor sleep – are contributing to accelerated aging.
Dr. Cuevas, Assistant Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Science, said: “While health behaviors partly explain these disparities, it’s likely that a range of processes is at play connecting psychosocial stressors to biological aging.”
The study also showed that the link between discrimination and accelerated biological aging varied by race.
Black study participants reported more discrimination and tended to exhibit older biological age and faster biological aging.
However, white participants, who reported less discrimination, were more susceptible to the impacts of discrimination when they did experience it, which the researchers say may be due to less frequent exposure and fewer coping strategies.
Dr. Cuevas added: “These findings underscore the importance of addressing all forms of discrimination to support healthy aging and promote health equity.”
