Developmental timing of initial racial discrimination exposure is associated with cardiovascular health conditions in adulthood

ABSTRACT

Objective

To examine the association between developmental timing of initial exposure to racial discrimination and cardiovascular health conditions.

Design

Using data from the 1995 Detroit Area Study, logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association between timing of initial exposure to racial/ethnic discrimination, classified as early childhood (0-7), childhood (8-12), adolescence (13-19), and adulthood (>19), on physician-diagnosed cardiovascular health conditions during adulthood. Each analysis adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, education, marital status, health-related behaviors, and pre-existing health conditions.

Results

Of the 1,106 participants in the final sample, 520 identified as White and 586 identified as Black. Over half (64%) of the sample experienced at least one major cardiovascular health event at the time of the study, with 39% reporting two or more events. Results from logistic regression models showed that initial exposure to racial discrimination during early childhood was associated with a 2.96 (95%CI:1.15, 7.83) times greater odds of having any cardiovascular-related health condition later in life compared to individuals who reported no discrimination. Results from negative binomial regression models demonstrated that individuals who reported initial exposure to racial discrimination during early childhood and adolescence had a CVD incidence rate that was 1.63 (95%CI:1.11, 2.38) and 1.37 (95%CI:1.10, 1.69) times higher than individuals who reported no discrimination.

Conclusion

Initial exposure to racial discrimination in early childhood and adolescence may increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions later in life. Clinicians and researchers should consider racial discrimination during childhood as a possible risk factor for illness and disease.

KEYWORDS:

• cardiovascular health
• racial discrimination
• developmental trauma
• childhood adversity
• self-rated health

Acknowledgments

The contents of this study are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The development of the manuscript was partially supported by Cancer Disparities Research Network/Geographic Management Program (GMaP) Region 4 funded by 3 P30 CA006927-52S2 and CTSI Mentored Career Development Award (KL2 TR002545).