Perceived discrimination and markers of cardiovascular risk among low‐income African American youth

Abstract

Objectives Our study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination and levels of C-reactive Protein and blood pressure in low-income youth ages 10–15 years old. Methods Data were collected from 10–15 year old focal children and their mothers. Face-to-face interviews were implemented to collect data on stressors including experiences of everyday discrimination from youth. High sensitivity CRP in dried blood spot samples and diastolic and systolic blood pressure were also collected at the time of the interview. Results Perceived discrimination among youth was significantly associated with higher levels of CRP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CRP, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure remained significant after controlling for age-adjusted BMI, waist circumference, and other factors. Conclusion Discrimination is a salient risk factor for inflammation and cardiovascular health. Early life course inflammation and cardiovascular reactivity are important candidate pathways through which the repeated exposure to discrimination for minority group members contributes to racial and economic health inequities in adulthood.

Socioeconomic status discrimination and C-reactive protein in African-American and White adults

“…Other studies have also observed null results when examining the effects of racism on health outcomes among African-Americans (Albert et al, 2008), although some positive associations have been found (Cunningham et al, 2012; Goosby et al, 2015). But our results are consistent with those from a 2015 meta-analysis, which found that racism and health associations were consistently weaker in studies of African-Americans, compared to other racial/ethnic groups (Paradies et al, 2015).…”

Systemic Inflammation in Midlife: Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Perceived Discrimination

“…PD has been associated with inflammation among young adults, 30 midlife adults, 31 low-income black youths, 32 and older blacks, 33 although the Dallas Heart Study showed no relationship between PD and inflammation among blacks, Hispanics, and whites. 34 In other studies, the link between PD and inflammation was limited to specific subpopulations, including women anticipating a racial threat 35 and non-obese women.…”

Correlates of Somatic Symptoms Among African American Males Transitioning From a Public System of Care

“…Physiological or psychological stress responses such as somatic symptoms are likely to vary among adolescent and young adult African American males based on individual factors such as their temperament, situational factors such as cognitive appraisal, and contextual factors (Ebata & Moos, 1994). As it pertains to contextual factors, evolving research indicates that stressors connected to the social status, race, and gender of young African Americans are related to negative physiological outcomes (e.g., Brody et al, 2014;Goosby, Malone, Richardson, Cheadle, & Williams, 2015;Grollman, 2012). It is important that future research account for contextual stressors, general stressful life events, as well as perceived stress to examine their relative contribution to somatic symptoms and other indicators of emotional and physical health among young African American males (e.g., Pieterse & Carter, 2007).…”