A recent study by NYU School of Global Public Health researchers sheds light on how discrimination may hasten biological ageing processes. Published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity-Health, the research reveals that interpersonal discrimination is linked to molecular-level changes that could exacerbate disparities in aging-related health outcomes.
According to Adolfo Cuevas, assistant professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at NYU’s School of Global Public Health and senior author of the study, experiencing discrimination appears to accelerate ageing, potentially contributing to increased susceptibility to diseases and premature mortality among affected individuals.
The study highlights that individuals who face discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, weight, or disability are at heightened risk of various health issues, including heart disease, hypertension, and depression. While the exact biological mechanisms underlying these health disparities remain incompletely understood, chronic activation of the body’s stress response is thought to play a significant role. Moreover, mounting evidence suggests that persistent exposure to discrimination may impact the biological processes associated with ageing.
To explore this connection further, Cuevas and his team examined three measures of DNA methylation—a marker used to gauge the biological effects of stress and ageing—in nearly 2,000 U.S. adults participating in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, funded by the National Institute on Aging. Participants provided blood samples and completed surveys detailing their experiences of discrimination across everyday interactions, major life events, and workplace settings.
The findings revealed a compelling association between discrimination and accelerated biological ageing. Individuals reporting higher levels of discrimination tended to exhibit faster biological ageing than those reporting lower levels. Specifically, everyday discrimination and major discriminatory events consistently correlate with accelerated ageing. Discrimination in the workplace also showed a link to accelerated ageing, though its impact was somewhat less pronounced.
Further analysis indicated that health behaviours such as smoking and body mass index accounted for approximately half of the observed association between discrimination and accelerated ageing. This suggests that additional stress responses triggered by discrimination—including elevated cortisol levels and disrupted sleep patterns—contribute significantly to accelerated biological ageing.
Cuevas emphasised that while health behaviours play a role in these disparities, a range of psychosocial stressors likely contribute to the accelerated ageing observed among individuals facing discrimination. He highlighted the need for comprehensive approaches to address discrimination to improve health outcomes and promote equity in healthy ageing.
The study also revealed variations in the impact of discrimination on biological ageing across different racial groups. Black participants, who reported higher levels of discrimination, tended to exhibit older biological ages and faster rates of biological ageing. In contrast, White participants, despite reporting lower levels of discrimination overall, showed heightened susceptibility to its effects when they did experience it—potentially due to less frequent exposure and fewer coping mechanisms.
“These findings underscore the critical importance of addressing discrimination in all its forms to support healthy ageing and advance health equity,” Cuevas concluded. The study advocates for broader efforts to mitigate the adverse health effects of discrimination and promote conditions conducive to healthy ageing across diverse populations.
More information: Adolfo G. Cuevas et al, Multi-discrimination exposure and biological aging: Results from the midlife in the United States study, Brain Behavior & Immunity – Health. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100774
Journal information: Brain Behavior & Immunity – Health Provided by New York University
