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2019
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2019-05-19
Abstract
Individuals with a lower socioeconomic status (SES) have an increased risk of a variety of diseases compared to those with a higher SES. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between SES and health are only beginning to be understood. However, recent research finds that a lower SES may induce changes in the immune system that play an important role in determining one's risk for disease. Building on these insights, I sought to examine whether having a lower SES may also increase one's susceptibility to infection by impacting bacterial growth in serum. I measured participants' SES and grew Staphylococcus aureus in their serumex vivo for 24 hrs. I then measured bacterial growth at 10 time points (1-8 hrs, 12 hrs., and 24 hrs.). Results revealed higher S. aureus growth in the serum of low SES participants (compared to high SES participants). These findings suggest that having a low SES may increase ones vulnerability to infection by making their blood more hospitable to bacterial growth.
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Psychology