July 10th 2023.
Highly-melanated skin has long been known to age well. But a new study has revealed that environmental factors such as socioeconomic status, neighborhood deprivation, and air pollution are significant contributors to the accelerated biological aging of Black people. This phenomenon is known as "weathering," and it is associated with various poor health issues such as heart disease, mental illness, and higher infant and maternal mortality.
DNA methylation is a "mediating link" between structural determinants of health and age-related health outcomes, according to the study. Furthermore, research has shown that ZIP codes can reveal a great deal about a person's health. Black older adults are often found to be living in areas with higher deprivation, and fewer socioeconomic resources, leading to unfavorable and unhealthy conditions. The difference in life expectancy between Atlanta residents of predominantly white, high-income neighborhoods (84 years) and those living in mostly Black, low-income areas (71 years) is an example of the repercussions of this lack of access to resources.
Environmental epidemiologists have an opportunity to investigate the structural racist forces that drive health disparities. However, there is a long history of failing to address racism in environmental health research. Air pollution is one of the key factors contributing to health disparities in Black communities, with Black individuals having a greater risk from the same amount of PM2.5 pollution than their white counterparts. This is especially true for those with a long history of lung conditions or asthma, putting them at a higher chance of exposure.
It is evident that environmental racism kills, and the mechanisms by which it does so remain a mystery. However, with further research and evidence, we can come closer to understanding the biological mechanisms that are driving health disparities and protecting the health of vulnerable populations.
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