HTW 309 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Social Disorganization Theory, Gene Expression, Unnatural Causes

• School: Syracuse University
• Department: Health and Wellness
• Course: HTW 309
• Professor: Peter Thompson

Document Summary

Harm or neglect: acts of commission or omission on the part of others (including the government) that can cause harm. Harm or neglect leads to poor outcomes (including poor health) Commission: we"ve stripped them of their land and culture. Early life difficulties and their adverse effects interact with later events in ways that increase the likelihood of poor adult health outcomes. Social status is critical in determining health vulnerability. Social inequity & marginalization leads to both material and psychological stress. Chronic psychosocial stresses on gene expression via neuroendocrine regulatory dysfunction can explain the biological bases of adult health vulnerability. Gene expression occurs during childhood and adolescence and therefore chronic childhood stress can lead to adult poor health. James, s. et al (2006) life-course socioeconomic position and hypertension in african american men: the pitt county study. Early childhood adversity imprints itself in chromosomes: demonstrated alterations in the violence exposed children"s dna: changes that were equivalent to 7-10 years of premature aging.