Socioeconomic Status and Mortality in Moscow: A Role for Biomarkers?

Megan Todd, Princeton University

Low socioeconomic status has consistently been linked to poor health and elevated mortality risk, though the physiological mechanisms behind this relationship are not well understood. These health disparities are especially large in Russia, where the recent mortality crisis disproportionately affected low-SES individuals. In this study, I assess whether a number of biomarkers predict subsequent mortality among older adults in Moscow, and whether these factors explain the SES-mortality link. Using data from the survey on Stress, Aging, and Health in Russia, I examine biomarkers related to inflammation, neuroendocrine function, heart rate variability, and cardiovascular risk.