Effect of Stress on the Health of African American Women in Low-Income Neighborhoods

Health problems such as obesity are more prevalent in populations of African American women than any other population in the United States. Stress has been found to disproportionately affect the health of African American women when compared to European American women. Factors such as neighborhood environment, socioeconomic status, and familial relationships play a significant role in the stress experienced by these women. This project reviews the current literature on the relationship between various stressors and the health of African American women. The purpose of this research is to increase understanding of the unique stressors that African American women face and how health disparities and psychological stress could be the instrumental factors impacting obesity and mortality rates in this community