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The biomarker cortisol assesses the impact of biopsychosocial stressors that activate the stress response system. Hair has emerged as a valid and non-invasive means of gauging cumulative cortisol deposited over month-long periods of time. Established protocols for the extraction of hair cortisol are being validated and refined in humans, yet methodological information about hair characteristics on cortisol remains limited. In addition to external hair exposures (e.g. dye, time spent outside), we examined hair categorization or type (e.g. kinky, straight) by extending a hair typing methodology for scientific use that is currently popular among hair care professionals. We then examined the interaction between hair type and race on cortisol levels with a hair questionnaire. Three studies were pooled to investigate how sample weight, hair type, race, heat exposures, and hair treatments impacted cumulative hair cortisol concentrations. Study 1 consisted of Adult Kenyan Medical Workers (N = 44); Study 2 Mexican and Mexican Americans (N = 106); and Study 3 American Youth (N = 107). We found significantly higher cortisol in 5 mg of hair when compared to larger sample weights, and higher cortisol in those who spent more time outdoors. Cortisol concentrations differed between racial groups and varied by hair type; moreover, there were directional differences in cumulative cortisol from straighter to curlier hair types which depended on racial group. In addition to demonstrating the impact of relatively novel control factors like hair sample weight, outdoor exposure, and hair type, the present study illustrates the importance of disentangling hair type and race to understand variability in cumulative hair cortisol. These influences should be included in future studies that measure hair cortisol.

Black populations show increased incidences of diagnosis, worse disease severity, and earlier likelihood of mortality due to MS. Clinical outcomes are also linked to biological sex and as with Black individuals, MS characteristics between sexes have also shifted overtime. This study examined whether clinical disease progression differed by race and sex for patients with MS. "Black" (N = 47) and "White" (N = 58) participants with MS (82 % female) were recruited from a longitudinal examination of the impact of race and sex on the cognition and disease duration of patients in the gulf south region of the United States. Black participants had shorter disease durations [F (1,103) = 4.70, p =.03], (MDiff = [−3.96]) and were younger [F (1, 103) = 14.25, p <.001], (MDiff = [−9.04]). Despite this, Black individuals had worse SDMT t-scores [F (1, 103) = 5.22, p =.024], (MDiff = [−4.62])]. Women exhibited higher MSSS scores [F (1, 96) = 5.59, p =.02], (MDiff = [−2.15]). Specifically, Black women were younger than White women [F (1, 84) = 14.47, p <.001], (MDiff = [−9.15])] and had shorter disease durations [F (1, 84) = 6.04, p =.016], (MDiff = [−4.57])] yet scored lower on the SDMT T-scores [F (1, 84) = 6.11, p =.015], (MDiff = [−5.51])]. Findings suggest an interaction between race and sex may influence clinical progression in MS. Despite being younger and having shorter disease durations Black participants with MS, specifically Black women exhibited worse clinical outcomes. For women and men, MS incidence among Black Americans has become similar to White Americans. However, Black individuals experience greater disease severity and earlier mortality. Clinical impairment often accompanies MS. We examined the influence of race and sex on clinical status using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test t-scores (SDMT T-scores) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Scores (MSSS) in Black (N = 47) and White (N = 58) patients with MS. Women exhibited higher MSSS scores than men [F (1, 96) = 5.59, p =.02], (MDiff = [−2.15]). Black participants had shorter disease durations [F (1, 103) = 4.70, p =.03], (MDiff = [−3.96]) and were younger [F (1, 103) = 14.25, p <.001], (MDiff = [−9.04]). Despite this, Black individuals had worse SDMT T-scores [F (1, 103) = 5.22, p =.024], (MDiff = [−4.62])]. Specifically, Black women were younger than White women [F (1, 84) = 14.47, p <.001], (MDiff = [−9.15])] and had shorter disease durations [F (1, 84) = 6.04, p =.016], (MDiff = [−4.57])] yet scored lower on the SDMT T-scores [F (1, 84) = 6.11, p =.015], (MDiff = [−5.51])]. These findings suggest that an interaction between race and sex may influence clinical progression in MS. • Women exhibited higher MSSS scores than men. • Black participants had shorter disease durations and were younger, yet had worse SDMT T-scores. • Black women were younger than White women and had shorter disease durations yet scored lower on the SDMT T-scores. • Findings suggest that an interaction between race and sex may influence clinical progression in MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biomarker cortisol assesses the impact of biopsychosocial stressors that activate the stress response system. Hair has emerged as a valid and non-invasive means of gauging cumulative cortisol deposited over month-long periods of time. Established protocols for the extraction of hair cortisol are being validated and refined in humans, yet methodological information about hair characteristics on cortisol remains limited. In addition to external hair exposures (e.g. dye, time spent outside), we examined hair categorization or type (e.g. kinky, straight) by extending a hair typing methodology for scientific use that is currently popular among hair care professionals. We then examined the interaction between hair type and race on cortisol levels with a hair questionnaire. Three studies were pooled to investigate how sample weight, hair type, race, heat exposures, and hair treatments impacted cumulative hair cortisol concentrations. Study 1 consisted of Adult Kenyan Medical Workers (N = 44); Study 2 Mexican and Mexican Americans (N = 106); and Study 3 American Youth (N = 107). We found significantly higher cortisol in 5 mg of hair when compared to larger sample weights, and higher cortisol in those who spent more time outdoors. Cortisol concentrations differed between racial groups and varied by hair type; moreover, there were directional differences in cumulative cortisol from straighter to curlier hair types which depended on racial group. In addition to demonstrating the impact of relatively novel control factors like hair sample weight, outdoor exposure, and hair type, the present study illustrates the importance of disentangling hair type and race to understand variability in cumulative hair cortisol. These influences should be included in future studies that measure hair cortisol. • Cortisol levels in 5 mg of hair were higher when compared to 10 mg and 15 mg weights. • Higher hair cortisol levels were found in samples with more outdoor exposure. • Black hair types had higher cortisol than White, LatinX, and Multiracial hair types. • Hair types differed in levels of cortisol and varied depending on racial group. • For Multiple Racial and White participants straight hair had higher cortisol than curly hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]