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Questions and Answers
Which factor is NOT associated with the activation of stress responses?
Which factor is NOT associated with the activation of stress responses?
What is a characteristic of socioeconomic status (SES)?
What is a characteristic of socioeconomic status (SES)?
The 'SES gradient' suggests that:
The 'SES gradient' suggests that:
Which finding was NOT observed in the Whitehall studies?
Which finding was NOT observed in the Whitehall studies?
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What factor is emphasized as a contributor to increased risk for those with lower SES?
What factor is emphasized as a contributor to increased risk for those with lower SES?
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The Whitehall studies found that health differences among ranks cannot be explained by:
The Whitehall studies found that health differences among ranks cannot be explained by:
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Which factor contributes to a lower SES increasing health risks?
Which factor contributes to a lower SES increasing health risks?
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What is a common misconception regarding SES and health?
What is a common misconception regarding SES and health?
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What best characterizes the biological stress response in humans compared to other animals?
What best characterizes the biological stress response in humans compared to other animals?
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What is the term used to describe the cumulative burden of chronic stress on the body?
What is the term used to describe the cumulative burden of chronic stress on the body?
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Which factor is considered a protective factor against stress-related diseases?
Which factor is considered a protective factor against stress-related diseases?
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How does social inequality relate to health outcomes according to the content?
How does social inequality relate to health outcomes according to the content?
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Which of the following statements about timing and frequency of stressors is correct?
Which of the following statements about timing and frequency of stressors is correct?
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What distinguishes chronic stress in humans from stress in animals?
What distinguishes chronic stress in humans from stress in animals?
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Which of the following was highlighted in the context of race, stress, and health?
Which of the following was highlighted in the context of race, stress, and health?
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What is meant by the concept of 'mismatches between ancestral and contemporary environments'?
What is meant by the concept of 'mismatches between ancestral and contemporary environments'?
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What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system during a stress response?
What is the primary function of the autonomic nervous system during a stress response?
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Which statement accurately describes allostasis?
Which statement accurately describes allostasis?
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What is the role of cortisol in the stress response?
What is the role of cortisol in the stress response?
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What effect does chronic stress have on the cardiovascular system?
What effect does chronic stress have on the cardiovascular system?
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Which physiological changes occur during the 'fight-or-flight' response?
Which physiological changes occur during the 'fight-or-flight' response?
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What is the consequence of chronic elevated cortisol levels?
What is the consequence of chronic elevated cortisol levels?
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What characterizes the parasympathetic nervous system?
What characterizes the parasympathetic nervous system?
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How does stress impact immune function over time?
How does stress impact immune function over time?
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What can excessive activation of the stress response lead to in the long term?
What can excessive activation of the stress response lead to in the long term?
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What physiological reaction is primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system?
What physiological reaction is primarily associated with the sympathetic nervous system?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course Title: Anthropology 243 - Medical Anthropology: Human Biology and Health
- Course Year: Fall 2024
- Textbook: Medical Anthropology: A Biocultural Approach (4th Edition) by Andrea S. Wiley and John S. Allen
- Textbook Publisher: Oxford University Press
Announcements
- Homework 5 and 6 are posted on Brightspace.
- Homework 5 is due on Thursday, December 5th, at 11:59 pm.
- Homework 6 is due on Tuesday, December 10th, at 11:59 pm.
- Meg Gauck's guest lecture information is available.
- Exam 3 materials, including a review sheet, are now posted.
- Part 1 of the course material is posted.
- Part 2 (last lecture information) will be posted on Thursday.
Stress and Meaning
- The word cloud illustrates various aspects of stress.
- Stressors include anxiety, overwhelmed feelings, fear, trauma, mental health problems, and many other factors.
- Stress is often associated with physical and emotional responses such as exhaustion, digestive problems, and difficulty concentrating.
Student Stressors
- A survey shows common student stressors.
- Academic demands are most frequently cited stressor (93.9%).
- Finances are also among common concerns (66.7%).
- Relationships (romantic and family) are another significant factor (63.6%).
- Living away from home is a relatable stressor for students(27.3%).
- Post-graduation plans are a crucial source of stress (76.8%).
- Other significant issues create stress (10.1%).
Stress Responses/Consequences
- Stress responses can lead to tiredness or feeling worn out, being depressed or anxious, and physical illness (e.g., being physically sick).
- These issues are common in students.
Textbook Chapter 10 Outline
- The outline covers stress in humans and other animals.
- It addresses biological stress responses, including the autonomic and hormonal stress systems and allostatic load.
- Topics include health outcomes associated with chronic stress.
- Social inequality and its effects on health are discussed.
- Protective factors against stress-related disease, such as social cohesion and support, are examined.
- Material also covers race, stress, and the historical and flawed biological assumptions about race.
Human Stress vs. Animal Stress
- Animal stressors mainly concern survival and reproduction (food shortages, predators, and competitors).
- Human stressors are broader and touch upon survival but also concern social and personal factors. Timing, both immediate and anticipated, is a significant element, as well as frequency of the stressors which can be both episodic and chronic.
Contemporary Stress & Ancestral Environments
- The comparison between the stress levels of past hunter-gatherers and contemporary individuals is explored.
- The mismatch between ancestral and modern environments is a key concept, encompassing aspects like kin-based social groups versus social stratification.
Stressors and Internal Balance
- A stressor is something that disrupts physiological balance.
- Homeostasis refers to a body's ability to maintain internal stability despite environmental changes.
- Allostasis is the body's ability to adjust through physiological processes in response to stressors. Long-term stress causes allostatic load and detrimental effects on health.
Biological Stress Response
- The autonomic nervous system and its immediate stress response and hormonal stress response, also known as the delayed stress response.
- Immediate response involves mobilizing energy, increasing heart rate, and respiration.
- Delayed stress response includes replenishing energy by storing glucose and producing fat.
Fight or Flight Response
- This response involves inhibiting energy storage, mobilizing stored energy, increasing breathing rate and heart rate, increasing blood pressure, and retaining water to increase blood volume.
- These responses are adaptations that focus on essential body functions in response to danger/threat.
Autonomic Nervous System
- The parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems are components of the autonomic nervous system.
- Parasympathetic system is responsible for regulating rest and digestion.
- Sympathetic system regulates the fight-or-flight response.
- Both systems work together to maintain homeostasis.
- Norepinephrine and epinephrine are key neurotransmitters that are released to activate the sympathetic system.
Hormonal Stress Response
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis mediates the hormonal stress response.
- This involves corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol.
- Elevated cortisol levels affect glucose, blood pressure, and essential bodily activities.
- Chronic elevated cortisol levels can have negative health impacts.
Stress Response and Allostatic Load
- Environmental stress triggers the stress response, which can trigger physiologic changes.
- A build-up of stress-related responses can lead to health issues.
Stress-related Illness
- Prolonged or frequent activation of the stress response can damage the cardiovascular system and suppress the immune system.
Stress Hormones and Cardiovascular Disease
- Chronic release of epinephrine leads to elevated blood pressure and heart problems.
- Excessive production of cortisol can lead to negative metabolic effects, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Stress and Immune Function
- Chronic stress can negatively impact the immune response, increasing susceptibility to illnesses.
- Studies demonstrate a correlation between stress and immune impairment.
Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Health
- SES is a composite measure of income, occupation, education, and housing conditions.
- Lower SES correlates with poorer health and a greater risk of numerous health conditions.
- The Whitehall studies show a link between lower rank in employment with heightened health risks.
Income Inequality Around the World
- An unequal income distribution is visualized using the Gini index across countries.
GDP and Average Life Expectancy
- This shows a generally positive association between a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP, purchasing power adjusted) with average life expectancy.
Health and Social Problems in Unequal Countries
- Health and social issues are more prevalent in countries with high levels of income inequality.
- Indicators include life expectancy, literacy, homicide rates, teenage births, and other social issues.
Whitehall Studies Summary
- Detailed studies of British civil service workers reveal a connection between rank and health risks.
- Even with universal health care, significantly lower ranks had increased risks of illnesses and premature death.
- Several behavioral and environmental factors likely to explain part of the trend but do not fully explain the difference.
Whitehall Studies, Additional Information
- Lower SES increases risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity) while reducing favorable behaviors.
- People with lower SES are more likely to live in unhealthy neighborhoods or have limited access to adequate health resources, healthy foods, and amenities.
Whitehall Studies and Relative Status
- Relative status in society influences health outcomes.
- Subjects reporting lower status on a hierarchical scale had worse health outcomes than higher ranks.
Whitehall Studies and Chronic Heart Disease
- Studies on employees show a connection between low social ranks and elevated risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease.
- Differences in behavior between ranks explain some difference in health outcomes, but not all of it.
Social Moderators of the Stress Response
- Social cohesion and social capital are important protective factors.
- Social support is linked to improved recovery, decreased distress, and lower mortality.
Social Support and Morbidity
- Social support and fewer colds. Demonstrates a correlation linking social network diversity and reduced illness incidence.
Social Support and Mortality
- Social relationships are associated with decreased mortality.
- Other studies illustrate associations between various behaviors and decreased mortality rates.
- This information underscores the influence of social variables on health.
Next Time
- The next class will focus on mental health.
- Read Chapter 11 in Wiley and Allen.
Additional Topics
- Racial/ethnic variations in life expectancy.
- Racial disparities in low birth weight.
- The historic concept of race.
- Flaws in biological assumptions about race.
- Clinal variation in phenotypic traits.
- Race and ancestry are not synonymous.
- The social construction of race and its implications for health disparities.
- Racial bias in pain assessment and treatment.
- Racial disparities in medical treatment are shown.
- Increased maternal mortality in the U.S.A compared to other countries.
- Benefits of having a birth doula.
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