Stressful Environments Genetically Affect African American Boys (IMAGE)

Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

Stressful Environments Genetically Affect African American Boys

Caption

African American boys growing up in disadvantaged environments have shorter telomeres -- DNA sequences related to aging -- than their advantaged peers by age 9, a Wilson School study shows. Telomeres live at the end of chromosomes, which are found in cells. They vary in lengthy by person, shrinking with age. Growing up in disadvantaged environments quicken this process for black boys, causing physiological weathering.

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Ticiana Jardim Marini/Woodrow Wilson School

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