Researchers led by Emiko Kranz at the NYU School of Global Public Health analysed surveys and blood samples from participants in the Health and Retirement Study. The sample included US adults ages 50 and older. In surveys, people reported routine unfair treatment such as being treated with less respect or receiving worse service because of aspects of their identity or status.
In blood tests the team measured markers of adaptive immunity, including the types and stages of T and B cells. The main finding was that higher levels of everyday discrimination were associated with higher counts of terminally differentiated immune cells. These are cells that have been repeatedly activated and become exhausted, with lower functionality. The study did not find the same increase in younger, naïve T or B cells.
The senior author, Adolfo Cuevas, said the results add to research linking discrimination with inflammation and age-related disease processes. The authors caution this is an early step and call for more research.
Difficult words
- discrimination — treating people unfairly because of identityeveryday discrimination
- adaptive immunity — part of the immune system that adapts
- terminally differentiated — cells activated many times and losing functionterminally differentiated immune cells
- exhausted — very tired and working with less strength
- naïve — not yet activated or experienced immune cellsnaïve T or B cells
- inflammation — body response that often causes swelling or pain
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Can you think of examples of everyday discrimination in daily life? How might these affect a person's health?
- Why do you think the researchers studied people aged 50 and older for immune changes?
- What kinds of follow-up research would help to understand the link between discrimination and health?
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