According to research, stressors such as discrimination, job strain, traumatic events and everyday stresses accelerate immune system aging – increasing one’s risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and illnesses caused by COVID-19 viral infections.
This research can assist with explaining age-related health disparities, such as the unequal COVID-19 pandemic toll, as well as identify possible intervention factors.

Understanding age-related health disparities is becoming more critical as the population of older individuals rises worldwide. Changes to immune systems due to ageing can play a vital role in diminishing health over time.

As individuals age, their immune systems deteriorate naturally; a condition known as immunosenescence. Their immunity weakens with time due to too many worn-out white blood cells being circulated around and not enough healthy ones available to fight potential threats from infection.

Immune aging has been linked with cancer as well as organ system aging, increased pneumonia risk and cardiovascular disease.