The Center for Collaborative Study of Trauma, Health Equity, and Neurobiology

GLOSSARY

Weathering or Allostatic Load

The WEATHERING HYPOTHESIS is a proposed explanation of why multiple and severe experiences of discrimination (cumulative trauma) lead to physiologic changes in Brain-Body leading to increased disease and early death. 

WEATHERING is a similar concept to ALLOSTATIC LOAD and CUMULATIVE TRAUMA.

See also Dr. Heather Hall’s concept of a “double dose” of adversity.

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RESOURCES

Geronimus AT (2006) “Weathering” and Age Patterns of Allostatic Load Scores Among Blacks and Whites in the US.  Am J Public Health.  FREE Full Text