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New research from the University of Minnesota shows that stress caused by negative interactions with police can increase epigenetic age, which is a biological indicator that can differ from chronological age. Previous research has shown this stress can age adults more quickly, but few studies have studied increased epigenetic aging in children.
The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, found that negative police encounters were associated with greater epigenetic age acceleration, especially among Black youths who experienced more police intrusion than any other racial or ethnic group.