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African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have worse disease outcomes compared to their White counterparts. Stressors associated with race may contribute to poorer health in this population through maladaptive behavioral pathways. This study investigated relationships between stress associated with anticipating racism, smoking, and SLE disease activity. Data were from 432 African American women with SLE in the Black Women's Experiences Living with Lupus (BeWELL) Study. Controlling for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, multivariable regression analyses revealed a significant association between anticipatory racism stress (ARS) and disease activity (p = 0.00, b = 1.13, 95% CI [0.43, 1.82]). A significant interaction between ARS and smoking also indicated that smoking exacerbated the effect of ARS on disease activity (p = 0.04, b = 1.95, CI = 0.04, 3.96). Test for evidence of smoking mediating the effect of ARS on disease activity were not statistically significant (z = 1.77, p = 0.08). Findings have implications for future SLE disparities research among African American women with SLE., Author(s): Erica C. Spears [sup.1] , Amani M. Allen [sup.2] , Kara W. Chung [sup.3] , Connor D. Martz [sup.3] , Evelyn A. Hunter [sup.4] , Thomas E. Fuller-Rowell [sup.3] [...]

The role of early life adversity (ELA) in the development of health disparities has not received adequate attention. The current study examined differential exposure and differential vulnerability to ELA as explanations for socioeconomic and racial disparities in body mass index (BMI). Data were derived from a sample of 150 college students (M.sub.age = 18.8, SD = 1.0; 45 % African American; 55 % European American) who reported on parents' education and income as well as on exposure to 21 early adverse experiences. Body measurements were directly assessed to determine BMI. In adjusted models, African American students had higher BMI than European Americans. Similarly, background socioeconomic status was inversely associated with BMI. Significant mediation of group disparities through the pathway of ELA was detected, attenuating disparities by approximately 40 %. Furthermore, ELA was more strongly associated with BMI for African Americans than for European Americans. Efforts to achieve health equity may need to more fully consider early adversity., Author(s): David S. Curtis[sup.1] , Thomas E. Fuller-Rowell[sup.1] , Stacey N. Doan[sup.2] , Aleksandra E. Zgierska[sup.3] , Carol D. Ryff[sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Human Development and Family Studies, [...]