- Many people face everyday discrimination and unfair treatment from others.
- Researchers found a link between this behavior and health outcomes.
- They studied older adults in the United States for the project.
- People answered questions and gave blood samples to researchers.
- The team looked at T cells and B cells in blood.
- People with more discrimination had more tired immune cells.
- Tired cells do not fight infections very well.
- The researchers say more studies and work are needed.
Difficult words
- discrimination — unfair treatment of people by others
- researcher — a person who studies a topic or questionResearchers
- immune — related to the body system that fights germs
- infection — a disease made by germs in the bodyinfections
- T cell — a type of white blood cell that fights germsT cells
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever been treated unfairly?
- Would you give a blood sample for a study?
- Do you think health research is important?
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