Stress and Health Disparities Lab

We are a group of interdisciplinary researchers committed to investigating how chronic stressors rooted in social and structural inequities (e.g., discrimination, race and gender ideologies, ageism) get “under the skin” to generate disparities in chronic disease among older U.S. adults. We have a specific emphasis on Black-White health disparities and health outcomes such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cancers, and multimorbidity. The underlying motivation for this work is to develop innovative, evidence-based interventions to reduce disparities in chronic diseases among older adults. 

1. Investigate the complex relationships between contextual, psychosocial, biological, and behavioral factors involved in stress and coping processes that contribute to health disparities. This work provides insight on mechanisms (and key leverage points) through which social marginalization contributes to accelerated biological aging, increased risk for chronic disease, premature mortality, and associated health disparities.
2. Conduct quantitative and qualitative studies involving a mix of survey, health record, physiological, stress-sensitive biomarker (e.g., cortisol, inflammatory markers), and interview/focus group data.
3. Develop, refine, and evaluate contextually and culturally specific health promotion interventions in collaboration with community partners that are informed by stress and coping health research. 

News

• New Publication: How old do I look? Aging appearance and experiences of aging among US adults ages 50-80 in Psychology and Aging. OU Press Release. UM Press Release. KCBS Radio interview
• Updates from the Stretching It project. February 2024 Report

• New Publication: : Aging stigma and the health of US adults over 65: What do we know? in Clinical Interventions in Aging
• Updates from the Experiences of Aging in Society Project. July 2023 Report
  

• New publication: Multiple forms of discrimination and inflammation in Black Americans: Are there differences by sex? in Social Science and Medicine
  
• New publication: Differences and disparities in ageism affecting older adults: A review in Current Epidemiology Reports
• See Dr. Allen on CBS Sunday Morning. Fighting back against ageism
• New publication: Experiences of Everyday Ageism and the Health of Older US Adults in the JAMA Network Open. Press release. Featured in Newsweek, HealthDay, Healthline, among others

2023

2022

Krissy Taylor, MS Health Promotion
Mikala Kiefer, BS
Kaelen Cunnyngham, BS
Sammie Hopper, BPH
Valerie MoÏse, MS Health Promotion
C. J. White, MS Health Promotion
Lauren Elias, BS
Isaac Rosales, current BS student
Josie Greenwood, BS
Saryu Onishi, BS, Ph.D. student in Sports Data Analytics

For more information about the lab, contact us:

• StressHealthDisparitiesLab@ou.edu

• Julie Ober Allen, PhD, Director and Health Promotion faculty member at the University of Oklahoma, at joallen@ou.edu or (405) 325-4984

• Lab website: http://link.ou.edu/SHDLab

Interested in contributing to the lab, contact Dr. Allen directly:

• Potential doctoral and master’s students interested in training under Dr. Allen

• Student research assistant, intern, and independent study opportunities (limited availability)