Neighborhood Disadvantage and Telomere Length: Results from the Fragile Families Study.

Publication Year
2018

Type

Journal Article
Abstract

Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences located at the ends of chromosomes that protect genetic material. We use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to analyze the relationship between exposure to spatially concentrated disadvantage and telomere length for white and black mothers. We find that neighborhood disadvantage is associated with shorter telomere length for mothers of both races. This finding highlights a potential mechanism through which the unique spatially concentrated disadvantage faced by African Americans contributes to racial health disparities. We conclude that equalizing the health and socioeconomic status of black and white Americans will be very difficult without reducing levels of residential segregation in the United States.

Journal
RSF
Volume
4
Issue
4
Pages
28-42
Date Published
2018 Apr
ISSN Number
2377-8253
Alternate Journal
RSF
PMCID
PMC6046089
PMID
30019006