Social standing directly affects immune system, study shows

A study conducted by Duke University and published in Science has suggested that being at the bottom of the social class can have a direct affect on the way the body defends itself from ill health.

The study examined the social ranking and associated health of monkeys and found that low status alters the immune system in a way that raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes and mental health problems.

The captive female Rhesus monkeys were unrelated and had never met before. They were divided one-by-one into nine new groups of five. The newest member nearly always ended up at the bottom of the social order and became ‘chronically stressed’, received less grooming and more harassment from the other monkeys.

The scientists analysed each monkeys' blood and identified 1,600 differences in the activity levels of genes involved in running the immune system between those at the top and bottom, with those at the bottom experiencing aggressive immune responses leading to inflammation and other types of damage.

The researchers claimed the findings were ‘terrifically applicable’ to people.

The report said that part of the explanation was that people from poorer backgrounds are more likely to have an unhealthy lifestyle - including smoking, little exercise and diets containing junk food.

In an interview with the BBC, Dr Noah Snyder-Mackler, one of the researchers involved, said: ”It suggests there's something else, not just the behaviours of these individuals, that's leading to poor health.

"We know smoking, eating unhealthily and not exercising are bad for you - that puts the onus on the individual that it's their fault.

"Our message brings a positive counter to that - there are these other aspects of low status that are outside of the control of individuals that have negative effects on health."