Discrimination and the Stress Response

Recent research shows that gene expression is altered in black people to a higher degree by stress, which could lead to greater health risks. How does discrimination (color, creed, age, gender, disabilities, sexual preference, and more) affect the stress response? What are some strategies to minimize the health risks?

Session Takeaways

A basic understanding of the stress response in humans. The implications of altered gene expression in the stress response for blacks experiencing discrimination. Taking away at least one strategy to reverse or minimize the stress response and hence the altered gene expression.

Facts Related To This Presentation

Recent research at the Health Psychology Lab at USC shows that chronic stress affects specific genes responsible for turning on and off our innate immunity. They studied the RNA of white and black participants and learned that blacks have a higher expression of genes which promote inflammation and a decrease in genes that would normally promote an anti-viral response. Perceived discrimination accounted for more than 50% of the genes involved in promoting inflammation.