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The Toxic Stress of Racism and Its Relationship to Frailty

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  • Julie-Kathryn Graham
  • Danisha Jenkins
  • Kalie Iris
  • Morgan Knudsen
  • Christina Kelley

Abstract

Significant morbidity and mortality from COVID-19-related illnesses have been observed among people of color within the United States. While theories involving healthcare inequity and political division have emerged to explain this observation, the role of chronic stress and inflammation is also being explored. Toxic stress is experienced disproportionately by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and increases frailty and vulnerability to diseases such as COVID-19. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker associated with the inflammatory response that is typically elevated due to exposure to acute or chronic traumatic stress, as well as COVID-19. This study explored the relationship between CRP and Hispanic/non-Hispanic ethnicity among adults hospitalized with COVID-19 via a secondary analysis of retrospective electronic health record (EHR) data collected from a community healthcare system in Southern California. A total of 1,744 cases representing hospitalized adults with COVID-19 were reviewed. Data were extracted from the EHR to reflect demographics, medical diagnoses, medications, CRP, and comorbidity burden. Frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency were assessed to understand the distribution of data. Associations were conducted using Pearson’s r and the chi-square test of independence. Differences between groups were examined via independent samples t -tests. The sample was 52% Hispanic, 56% male, and the mean age was 62 years ( SD = 16.1). The mean age of Hispanic cases was younger than non-Hispanic cases ( p

Suggested Citation

  • Julie-Kathryn Graham & Danisha Jenkins & Kalie Iris & Morgan Knudsen & Christina Kelley, 2024. "The Toxic Stress of Racism and Its Relationship to Frailty," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 33(5), pages 301-308, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:clnure:v:33:y:2024:i:5:p:301-308
    DOI: 10.1177/10547738241233050
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Loucks, Eric B. & Pilote, Louise & Lynch, John W. & Richard, Hugues & Almeida, Nisha D. & Benjamin, Emelia J. & Murabito, Joanne M., 2010. "Life course socioeconomic position is associated with inflammatory markers: The Framingham Offspring Study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(1), pages 187-195, July.
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