Health Behaviors, Chronic Stress, and Mortality for Black, White, and Mexican Americans in the United States

• In Event: 054 - Regular Session. Health Behavior, Family, and Mortality

Abstract

Research suggests that negative health behaviors, such as smoking, binge drinking, and lack of exercise, are leading preventable causes of morbidity and early mortality in the U.S. Yet, little research has explored whether there are differential impacts of risky health behaviors (i.e. smoking, binge drinking, and exercise) on health outcomes by social groups such as race/ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status. This research focuses on filling existing gaps in the literature by exploring the associations between health behaviors, physiological dysregulation, and mortality and how these associations vary by race and ethnicity in the U.S. using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey linked with the National Death Index. Initial results show a differential impact of risky health behaviors on physiological dysregulation by race/ethnicity such that Blacks and to a lesser extent Mexican Americans do not experience the same physiological toll as Whites from negative health behaviors, yet still experience the same impact of behaviors on Mortality. This research could extend information on the impact of risky health behaviors as well as inform public policy on the importance of considering social differentials when addressing health behavior risk.

Author

• Janet A Weeks, Florida State University