Higher levels of stress may be responsible for higher mortality risks amongst Black Americans, according to a new study.
The study’s authors, based at Washington University in St. Louis, conducted their research by reviewing data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network Study. Held for nearly 20 years, the study collected responses from older adults to examine their exposure to stress.
It was supplemented with other data, including blood draws, surveys and childhood experiences, to examine the link between stress and its impact on inflammatory biological markers. Inflammatory biological markers can help detect chronic conditions, autoimmune disorders and any potential infections.
In their conclusion, the researchers reported that Black Americans recorded elevated stress exposures as well as elevated inflammation levels when compared to white Americans. The increase directly correlated to the nearly 50% elevated mortality risk of Black Americans.
“If stress becomes chronic, that could be incorporated into one’s homeostasis; you may become less able to mount your biological systems to respond to acute stress challenges and you may be less able to return to a bodily state that promotes regeneration and restoration,” said the senior author and director of Washington University’s BRAIN Lab, Ryan Bodgan, per JBHE.
The study’s researchers point to exposure to racism and societal disparities as the reason behind the elevated stress levels.
#Chronic stress and inflammation linked to structural racism explain nearly half of the elevated mortality risk among #BlackAmericans compared to White Americans, highlighting urgent health disparities. @wustl @jamanetworkopen https://t.co/m9KfYszdpX https://t.co/UR8IrCBJSO
— Medical Xpress (@medical_xpress) January 27, 2026
Previous research from the American Psychological Association provides support for the latest study’s findings. Disparities have been found to be key factors in higher rates of hypertension, diabetes and mental health disorders amongst Black Americans.
Stress, particularly chronic stress, has also been linked to premature births amongst Black women. Exposure to consistent stress increases blood pressure, leads to inflammation and inhibits the immune system. With the health issues impacting the mother, the growing fetus is also affected, leading to a premature or low-weight birth.
Stress exacerbates an already alarming maternal mortality rate amongst Black women. Per the latest research, Black women recorded a maternal mortality rate of nearly 51 deaths per 100,000 live births. The rate was more than triple that of which was recorded by white women.
While safe care and communal support can provide relief, researchers point out that, unless societal stressors are addressed, stress cannot be completely eliminated.
“Stress exposure will always be there,” said Isaiah Spears, a graduate student and the lead author of the study per WashU Newsroom. “So we need to devote more efforts to understand the mechanisms through which stress contributes to adverse health outcomes so that factors could be targeted to minimize health risks among those exposed.”
