The everyday stresses of discrimination aren’t just emotionally taxing—they can too weaken the immune system, according to a new study from NYU School of Global Public Health. Researchers found that individuals who regularly experience discrimination exhibit higher levels of “exhausted” white blood cells, suggesting a link between social disadvantage and diminished immune function. This research adds to a growing body of evidence demonstrating the profound impact of social stressors on physical health, and offers a deeper understanding of how discrimination may contribute to long-term health problems.
The study, published in the journal Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health, highlights a previously under-explored connection between discrimination and the adaptive immune system—the part of the immune system responsible for fighting off specific infections. While previous research has linked discrimination to inflammation, this study focuses on the impact on the white blood cells that directly combat illness. Understanding this connection is crucial, as a weakened immune system can leave individuals more vulnerable to a range of health issues.
How Discrimination Impacts Immune Cells
Researchers analyzed data from 6,337 adults over the age of 50 participating in the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term study tracking the health patterns of US adults. The analysis combined survey responses about experiences with “everyday discrimination” – instances of unfair treatment based on factors like race, gender, or economic status – with blood samples measuring immune system biomarkers. Participants were asked about experiences such as being treated with disrespect, being made to feel unintelligent, or receiving poorer service in settings like restaurants or healthcare facilities.
The findings revealed a significant association between higher levels of reported discrimination and elevated counts of specific types of T cells (CD4+ TEMRA and CD8+ TEMRA) and B cells (IgD− memory). Crucially, these elevated levels were observed in cells that are “terminally differentiated”—meaning they’ve been repeatedly activated and are nearing the complete of their lifespan. These exhausted cells have a reduced capacity to effectively respond to new threats, potentially compromising the body’s ability to fight off infections, and diseases.
“We weren’t only looking at whether there were more or less of the B cells and T cells; we were also able to notice what period of their life cycle and level of functionality they had based on whether they were naïve or terminally differentiated cells, which gave us additional insight,” explained Emiko Kranz, a PhD student at NYU School of Global Public Health and the study’s first author. This distinction between naïve and exhausted cells is key, as it demonstrates that discrimination isn’t simply increasing the *number* of immune cells, but altering their *function*.
‘Weathering’ and the Cumulative Effect of Stress
The researchers hypothesize that the chronic stress of experiencing discrimination repeatedly activates the body’s stress response, leading to a process known as “weathering.” This concept, borrowed from public health research, describes the gradual deterioration of health due to the cumulative impact of chronic stress. The constant activation of the immune system, triggered by discriminatory experiences, can lead to immune cell exhaustion over time.
Adolfo Cuevas, associate professor of social and behavioral sciences at NYU School of Global Public Health and the study’s senior author, emphasized the broader implications of the findings. “This study builds upon well-established research linking experiences of discrimination to systemic inflammation, revealing yet another way that psychosocial stressors become embodied and may contribute to age-related disease processes,” he said.
Implications for Public Health
This research underscores the importance of addressing systemic discrimination as a public health issue. The findings suggest that the health consequences of discrimination extend beyond mental and emotional well-being, impacting the particularly biological systems that protect us from illness. While the study establishes a correlation, further research is needed to fully understand the causal mechanisms at play and to identify potential interventions.
The study’s authors caution that this is a starting point, and more research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between discrimination and immune function. Although, the results strongly suggest that addressing social inequalities and reducing experiences of discrimination could have significant benefits for population health. The researchers hope their work will encourage further investigation into the biological pathways linking social experiences to physical health outcomes.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provided support for this research. Readers seeking support related to stress and discrimination can discover resources through the American Psychological Association at https://www.apa.org/.
Researchers will continue to investigate the long-term health consequences of discrimination and explore potential strategies for mitigating its impact on the immune system. The next phase of research will focus on identifying specific interventions that can help buffer the effects of discriminatory stress and promote immune resilience.
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