Differential susceptibility to air pollution by chronic psychosocial stress

There are persistent environmental health disparities by race and socioeconomic position (SEP) - owing to both higher pollution exposures and greater susceptibility in minority and / or lower-SEP communities. The "causal" aspects of SEP underlying these susceptibilities, however, remain unidentified, and thus health disparities remain unexplained and difficult to address. Evidence suggests that chronic stress - which impacts immune, endocrine, and metabolic function - may mediate some portion of this SEP-related susceptibility. Dr. Clougherty will review recent evidence on differential susceptibility to environmental pollution by chronic stress, with emphasis on respiratory and cardiovascular outcomes.