Inequality and Health: What is the relationship between stress and health?

What is the relationship between stress and health? How is stress related to the racial and economic health inequities that we see in our society? What can be done to mitigate the impacts of this type of stress on our health?

Something about the question, “what is the relationship between stress and health” just seemed unnatural to me. After pondering it a bit I figured out why. There isn’t really much of a relationship between stress and health, rather a relationship between stress and disease. This is not to say that acute or temporary solvable stress inducing situations are always bad. Without acute/solvable stress we wouldn’t be given the opportunity to grow, accomplish, overcome, solve, and succeed. The relationship between stress and disease is in reference to chronic stress and it’s effects on health in the long-term. “Stress-induced damage is mediated, among other things, by prolonged elevation of adrenaline and cortisol levels in the blood. Elevated cortisol can lead to the accumulation of cholesterol (e.g., by raising glucose levels even during inactivity); and elevated adrenaline increases the blood's tendency to clot, which can add to the formation of arterial plaques and thereby lead to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Other risks that may be increased by stress-induced damage include risks for cancer, infection, and cognitive decline” (Sreenivasan, 2009). Chronic stress wreaks havoc on every aspect of a humans life, mentally, emotionally, and physically.  Not only does stress effect the individual in the present, but it also effects their long-term health, and the health of future generations. In the online journal article: Is Stress to Blame for Preterm Births?, the authors speak to the chronic stress that can come from socio-economic issues like racism and income, as having a role in infant mortality. “Stress can lead to problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure for the mother, but the problem is especially dire for a developing fetus. When a woman is chronically stressed, cortisol binds to receptors on the placenta, which then put out more corticotropin-releasing hormone, or CRH. The hormone travels back to the mother's brain, creating a positive feedback cycle, like a thermostat gone haywire. But the hormone doesn't just amp up the stress response. The hormone also happens to be the chemical that triggers labor once a certain threshold is reached” (Johnson & Ghose, 2011). Not only can chronic stress negatively effect all aspects of a persons health it can also signal a pregnant mother to go into premature labor. Very premature babies have a low chance of survival. In the video podcast When the Bough Breaks the comparison of premature births and infant mortality in Caucasian and African American women was looked at. African American women have a much higher premature birth rate than Caucasian women. In the podcast it is said that the stress that is induced due to ones social status, race, and income could very well be the largest culprit of premature births and infant mortality. “For most people of color, racism isn't an occasional problem but a subtle, everyday stressor that is added onto all the other stressors in a person's life” (Strain, MacLowry & Stange, 2008). There are ways to mitigate the impacts of this type of stress on our health. First, community and support are hugely significant. Education is also extremely important, as well as breaking down the barriers between race and social status. There are also proven holistic practices, such as: meditation, deep breathing, massage, and guided imagery that can be effective in the reduction of stress in one’s life.  References: Sreenivasan, G. (2009). Justice, inequality, and health. In E. Zalta (Ed.), Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring ed., Vol. 2009). Retrieved fromhttps://d2l.pdx.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=324056&tId=1274373 Johnson, M., & Ghose, T. (2011). Is stress to blame for preterm births?. Health News, Retrieved from https://d2l.pdx.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=324056&tId=1274373 Strain, T. H. (Producer), MacLowry, R. (Producer), & Stange, E. (Producer) (2008, 12). Unnatural causes..is inequality making us sick?. When the bough breaks. [Video podcast]. Retrieved from https://d2l.pdx.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=324056&tId=1274373 Interactive Map. Retrieved fromhttps://d2l.pdx.edu/d2l/lms/content/viewer/main_frame.d2l?ou=324056&tId=1274373