RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Neighborhood Disadvantage and Telomere Length: Results from the Fragile Families Study
JF RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences
FD Russell Sage Foundation
SP 28
OP 42
DO 10.7758/RSF.2018.4.4.02
VO 4
IS 4
A1 Massey, Douglas S.
A1 Wagner, Brandon
A1 Donnelly, Louis
A1 McLanahan, Sara
A1 Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne
A1 Garfinkel, Irwin
A1 Mitchell, Colter
A1 Notterman, Daniel A.
YR 2018
UL http://www.rsfjournal.org/content/4/4/28.abstract
AB 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.