UCLA Study Reveals Shocking Link: How Childhood Trauma May Shape Disease Risk Differently for Men and Women!

childhood trauma gender disease risk ucla study

Impact of Childhood Trauma and Gender on Disease Risk: UCLA Study Highlights Stress Screening in Healthcare

Researchers from UCLA Health have uncovered that childhood trauma and sex distinctly influence the likelihood of developing 20 significant diseases. By analyzing data from over 2,100 participants, the study identifies stress profiles that forecast disease biomarkers and future health conditions. This precision medicine framework suggests that stress screening could become integral in both pediatric and adult healthcare settings.

The study, spearheaded by UCLA Health, revealed that an individual’s sex and unique childhood trauma experiences have specific repercussions on biological health, influencing the risk of developing a wide range of diseases later in life.

While previous research has emphasized the long-term effects of childhood adversity on health and biology, little attention has been given to how varying types of stress impact specific biological functions and health risks.

In-Depth Findings on Stress and Health

Published on September 17 in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, the research not only confirms that early stressors lead to distinct health outcomes but also illustrates that these effects systematically vary between males and females. This analysis, described as one of the most comprehensive examinations of the biological and clinical repercussions of childhood adversity, was led by Dr. George Slavich, director of the Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research at UCLA.

“Many individuals who’ve faced significant early-life stress or trauma remain undiagnosed,” Slavich noted. “These findings emphasize the urgent need to incorporate stress screening in clinical settings. They also represent a shift toward precision medicine, tailored to a patient’s sex and specific stress profile.”

childhood trauma gender disease risk ucla study: Research Methods and Participant Data

Slavich’s team examined how early adversity influences health in adulthood, utilizing data from the large-scale “Midlife in the United States: A National Longitudinal Study of Health and Wellbeing,” funded by the National Institute on Aging. The data encompassed self-reports on the severity and types of childhood adversity experienced—such as financial strain, abuse, neglect, and familial instability. Additionally, biological samples were provided by participants to measure 25 disease biomarkers, alongside information on whether they had been diagnosed with any of 20 major diseases.

The research team performed latent-class analysis on the data to identify distinct clusters of individuals who had experienced multiple stressors during childhood. They then assessed the relationship between these clusters, independent stressors, and the 25 biomarkers related to inflammation, metabolism, and stress. This analysis also explored the correlation with 20 major health conditions.

The results identified two stressor classes for males (High Stress and Low Stress) and three for females (High Stress, Moderate Stress, and Low Stress). Overall, those in the low-stress categories exhibited the fewest health complications, while stress exposure correlated with increased health risks.

Conclusions on Stress and Health Risks

Both males and females in the high-stress categories exhibited the poorest metabolic health and highest levels of inflammation. However, key differences emerged between the sexes. The adverse childhood experiences had a more significant impact on females’ metabolic biomarkers than males. Emotional abuse and neglect had a more pronounced effect on males in relation to certain biomarkers and health conditions, including blood disorders, behavioral health issues, and thyroid problems.

childhood trauma gender disease risk ucla study: Clinical Implications

Slavich emphasized that these findings highlight the critical need to integrate assessments of stress exposure and biological responses into medical care. Clinicians should consider patients’ sex and specific stress experiences when evaluating their health risks.

“Stress is a contributing factor in 9 of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S.,” Slavich stated. “It’s time we take this statistic seriously and implement stress screenings in pediatric and adult healthcare nationwide.”

study Reference: childhood trauma gender disease risk ucla study

“The effects of childhood adversity on twenty-five disease biomarkers and twenty health conditions in adulthood: Differences by sex and stressor type” by Jenna Alley, Jeffrey Gassen, and George M. Slavich, July 25, 2024, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.