Abstract
Assessing the Association between Wealth and Leukocyte Gene Expression: Results from the Midlife in the United States Study
Adolfo G. Cuevas, PhD, New York University
Project Description: This pilot will examine the association between wealth and increased expression of proinflammatory genes using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS; Aim 1a). The study will also examine whether the association between wealth and gene expression varies by race (Aim 1b). Furthermore, the study will quantify the extent to which differences in wealth explain race differences in pro-inflammatory gene expression (Aim 2). Additionally, the study will evaluate the potential moderating effect of social integration, posited to mitigate health risks stemming from adversity (Aim 3). This project’s objective is to offer insights into the molecular pathways linking wealth to health outcomes and contributing to health differences. By shedding light on the potency of wealth beyond education and income, particularly for Black Americans, this research can inform policy interventions aimed at enhancing wealth attainment for Black Americans and reducing differences in health outcomes. These findings will also serve as a cornerstone for a future R01proposal, which aims to use data from multiple cohort studies spanning various life course stages, from midlife to later life (e.g., Add Health and Health and Retirement Study). This broader investigation will examine how wealth attainment influences gene expression trajectories across the life course.