Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance & Systemic Racism in the United States
What is transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance?
It is how the negative effects of various life experiences (e.g., trauma) can get passed down through chemical modifications to the genes to affect the health and well-being of future generations. Grandchildren and great grandchildren can be negatively impacted by ancestral traumas — even when they have not been directly exposed to any harm themselves.
What sort of negative health effects has been linked to trauma? It is not just mental and substance use disorders that are linked to trauma. Experiences of trauma – especially in childhood – increase risk for a whole host of health problems including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, breathing problems, and even cancer.
How do we know trauma in one generation can affect the health and well-being of future generations? Most of the research to date has been done in animals (e.g., mice), but studies in humans have shown ancestors exposure to trauma, poor nutrition, and toxic chemicals can impact the health of descendants across several generations. Some of the epigenetic (e.g., chemical) modifications noted in animal studies have also been reported in humans.
What does transgenerational epigenetic inheritance have to do with systemic racism in America? The health and well-being of African Americans are negatively impacted by the history of slavery, Jim Crow, lynchings, and more – and are further harmed by systemic racism today. It appears experiences of discrimination can “get under the skin” and increase risk for the broad range of mental and physical health problems associated with other adverse childhood experiences.
How do we break the cycle of harm? On an individual level — trauma-informed services, Afrocentric culturally-grounded prevention and intervention programs, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and positive education, sports, and art experiences can help reverse the effects of historical trauma and various lifetime negative experiences.
But change is needed on a societal level to dismantle the systems that perpetuate disadvantage, adversity, and trauma among African descendants.
The cost to the individual and society is enormous. The time to act is now. Read the full report at ncobraonline.org/harmreport.