Psychological and clinical impact on inflammatory outcomes among African women
Inflammatory-related chronic diseases are prevalent among African women, especially those who face racial and social injustices. These diseases can affect their mental and reproductive health, as well as their quality of life. The psychosocial, clinical and neighborhood factors that contribute to inflammatory outcomes among African women are complex and interrelated.
Some of the psychosocial factors include stress, depression, discrimination and stigma. Studies have shown that African women are exposed to more chronic social stressors than other races, which may increase their risk for poor mental health and negatively affect reproductive health . Stress and depression may also be linked to harmful inflammation during pregnancy, which can have adverse consequences for the mother and the baby . Moreover, racial discrimination may trigger inflammatory mechanisms in African women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an inflammatory autoimmune disease . Stigma may also prevent African women from seeking and accepting mental health care, which can worsen their psychological and clinical outcomes .
Some of the clinical factors include obesity, diet and physical activity. Obesity is a major risk factor for inflammation and chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. African women have higher rates of obesity than other races, which may partly explain their increased susceptibility to inflammatory conditions . Diet and physical activity can modulate inflammation and improve health outcomes. However, African women may face multiple barriers to healthy eating and physical activity, such as lack of access to nutritious food, community gardens, safe spaces and resources .
Some of the neighborhood factors include food deserts/swamps, environmental pollution and social support. Food deserts/swamps are areas where healthy food is scarce or expensive, while unhealthy food is abundant or cheap. These areas may increase the risk of obesity and inflammation among African women who live in them . Environmental pollution, such as air or water contamination, may also contribute to inflammation and chronic diseases by causing oxidative stress and tissue damage. African women may be more exposed to environmental pollution due to racial and socioeconomic disparities . Social support, on the other hand, may have a protective effect on inflammation and health outcomes by buffering the effects of stress and providing emotional and practical assistance. African women may benefit from social support from their families, friends, communities and health care providers .
In conclusion, psychological and clinical impact on inflammatory outcomes among African women is influenced by multiple factors that interact with each other. These factors need to be addressed holistically and culturally sensitively to reduce disparities in inflammation and health outcomes among this population.
References:
: Richards E. The State of Mental Health of Black Women: Clinical Considerations. Psychiatric Times. 2021;38(9). Available from: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/the-state-of-mental-health-of-black-women-clinical-considerations
: Bevel MS. The Impact of Psychosocial, Clinical, and Neighborhood Factors on Inflammatory Outcomes Among African American Women. University of South Carolina; 2020. Available from: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/5694/
: Stress, depression may be linked to harmful inflammation in Black pregnant women. Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan; 2022 Jun 1. Available from: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/stress-depression-may-be-linked-harmful-inflammation-black-pregnant-women
: Racial discrimination linked to increased inflammation among Black women with lupus. Medical Xpress; 2023 Aug 9. Available from: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08-racial-discrimination-linked-inflammation-black.html
: The Impact of Psychosocial, Clinical, and Neighborhood Factors on Inflammatory Outcomes Among African American Women [Internet]. Academia.edu; 2020 [cited 2024 Jan 11]. Available from: https://www.academia.edu/86405139/The_Impact_of_Psychosocial_Clinical_and_Neighborhood_Factors_on_Inflammatory_Outcomes_Among_African_American_Women
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