Cumulative Lifespan Stress, Inflammation, and Racial Disparities in Mortality Between Black and White Adults
In this cohort study of St Louis adults, heightened cumulative lifespan stress and elevated inflammation were associated with shorter survival among Black participants, suggesting these pathways may represent plausible mechanisms mediating racial disparities in mortality among Black and White US individuals. The findings underscore the need for policies that address structural racism, alongside treatments that reduce inflammation and limit stress exposure to reduce mortality disparities.
Authors
- Isaiah Spears (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3849-4441)
- Sarah E. Paul (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0320-7907)
- Aaron J. Gorelik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2589-1220)
- Michael J. Boudreaux (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8179-8047)
- Thomas F. Oltmanns
- Sara A. Norton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6276-0695)
- Jayne L Siudzinski
- Patrick L. Hill
- Ryan Bogdan
- Mary A. Cox
- Megan W. Wolk
Institutions
- Washington University in St. Louis (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- JAMA Network Open
- Published
- 2026-01-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54701
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 59.50
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- National Institute on Aging