James S. Jackson says racial health disparities at older ages result from differences in lived experiences, not genetics

an In The Media Appearance

"Older Black Lives Matter Says Top Researcher" - New America Media. 06/05/2015

"Older black lives matter, says top researcher" - Bay State Banner. 06/10/2015

James Jackson says 30 years of research show that health disadvantages among older black Americans emanate from structural racism and the accompanying stressors and coping responses – not genetic differences between blacks and whites. Stress takes its toll over the life course, damaging health and shortening life spans. Jackson says: “You have to understand that being in a particular racial categorization makes you vulnerable from attacks from the environment, whether that is other people or circumstances that happen to you….People try to cope with those bad environments and have negative outcomes as a function of that.”