Persistent Patterns, Persistent Gaps: Inflammatory Pathways in the Study of Discrimination and Health

ABSTRACT Discrimination is increasingly recognized as a correlate of low‐grade inflammation, a key mechanism in many chronic health problems that marginalized individuals are disproportionately likely to experience. This review synthesizes existing evidence while highlighting ongoing gaps that limit progress in the field. By integrating findings across studies and identifying priorities for future research, it aims to clarify how exposure to discrimination may contribute to immune dysregulation, outline promising pathways and models to better characterize the relationship between discrimination and inflammation, and guide research testing whether discrimination drives the development and persistence of health disparities.