News Health & Medicine

Low social status leads to off-kilter immune system

Monkey study reveals cellular and genetic hallmarks of inflammation

monkeys

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS  Companionship for low-ranking monkeys might lessen the inflammation spurred by their low social status, a new study suggests.

Lauren Brent

By Rachel Ehrenberg

- More than 2 years ago

Living on the bottom rungs of the social ladder may be enough to make you sick. A new study manipulating the pecking order of monkeys finds that low social status kicks the immune system into high gear, leading to unwanted inflammation akin to that in people with chronic diseases.