Examining the Cross-sectional Association Between Neighborhood Conditions, Discrimination, and Telomere Length in a Predominantly African American Sample

Wendy M. Troxel, Jaime Madrigano, Ann C. Haas, Tamara Dubowitz, Andrea L. Rosso, Aric A. Prather, Madhumita Ghosh-Dastidar, Andrea M. Weinstein, Meryl A. Butters, Albert Presto, Tiffany L. Gary-Webb

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Disproportionate exposure to adverse neighborhood conditions and greater discrimination may contribute to health disparities among African Americans (AAs). We examined whether adverse neighborhood conditions, alone or in conjunction with discrimination, associate with shorter leukocyte telomere length among a predominantly AA cohort. The sample included 200 residents from two low-income neighborhoods (96% AA; mean age = 67 years). Perceived neighborhood conditions and discrimination were surveyed in 2018, and objective neighborhood conditions (total crime rate, neighborhood walkability, ambient air pollution (PM2.5, black carbon)) were collected in 2017/2018. Relative telomere length (T/S; ratio of telomeric DNA to a single-gene copy) was assessed from blood samples. Linear regression models estimated the main effects of each neighborhood condition and discrimination and their interactions on the T/S ratio. Less walkable neighborhoods were associated with shorter telomeres. Higher air pollution (PM2.5) was associated with shorter telomeres among those experiencing greater discrimination. Findings highlight the importance of understanding the intersecting influences of historic and contemporary sources of systemic racism and how they contribute to accelerated aging among adults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3159-3167
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Volume10
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • African American
  • Discrimination
  • Health disparities
  • Neighborhood disadvantage
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Telomere length

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Anthropology
  • Health Policy
  • Sociology and Political Science

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