A new Northwestern University study suggests that an intervention focused on strengthening families can reduce inflammation, a chronic over activation of parts of the immune system that is important for long-term health.
Children of low socioeconomic status (SES) often experience such inflammation and poorer health at all stages of life than their more advantaged peers — from lower birth weights at infancy to higher rates of age-related cardiovascular disease and cancer.
“Many health problems in both childhood and adulthood involve excessive inflammation,” said Gregory E. Miller, professor of psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. “The process has a role in diabetes, heart disease, allergies and some cancers.”
