Experiences of every day and major discrimination are linked to accelerated biological aging, according to a new study.

Researchers investigated how discrimination might influence aging processes by analyzing survey and blood DNA methylation data from a large study (1,967) to measure biological age. Linear regression analysis was used to test associations of every day, major, and workplace discrimination with biological aging, measured by the epigenetic clocks DunedinPACE, PhenoAge, and GrimAge2.

The study, published in Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, showed individuals reporting higher levels of every day and major discrimination exhibited accelerated aging rates and older biological ages. Researchers found the relationship between discrimination and aging appeared stronger in White participants compared to Black participants, although Black participants reported experiencing more discrimination overall. Smoking and BMI were also found to play a role in the relationship between discrimination and aging.

"To the best of our knowledge, this study is one of the first to examine multiple forms of discrimination while considering multiple epigenetic clocks within a large community-based cohort of adults," concluded researchers. "These findings lay a foundation for future research to delve into the pathways linking discrimination with biological aging, examine potential protective factors, and investigate additional dimensions of discrimination."

This research was funded by the MacArthur Foundation, the National Institute on Aging, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. DWB is an inventor of DunedinPACE, licensed to TruDiagnostic, through Duke University and the University of Otago.