Health and Environmental Impact

Flashcards covering the biological and environmental consequences of racism, including the weathering hypothesis, allostatic load, and environmental racism.

Weathering Hypothesis

Black Americans have higher rates of hypertension, infant mortality, and lower life expectancies than whites, even when controlling for socioeconomic status, due to the cumulative impact of chronic stress of systemic racism.

Allostatic Load

The damage to cardiovascular and immune systems caused by chronic stress from discrimination triggering a permanent "fight or flight" response.

Telomere Shortening

The acceleration of the aging process at a cellular level where racial stress shortens the protective caps on DNA.

Environmental Racism

The disproportionate exposure of people of color to environmental hazards that lead to greater instances of asthma, lead poisoning, and cancers in Black communities.

Zoning and Toxic Exposure

The systemic practice where neighborhoods predominantly populated by people of color are located near highways, power plants, and toxic waste sites.

Locally Unwanted Land Uses (LULUs)

Industrial or toxic sites placed in the backyards of communities of color because the residents often lack the political capital to prevent them.

Health Outcomes of Environmental Racism

Higher rates of asthma, lead poisoning, and cancers resulting from environmental targeting and industrial proximity.