Core issues in SES effects More than half of U.S. households sampled experienced an increase of 50% or a decrease of more than 33% in monthly income in 1984 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1996). Experiencing a single marked income drop during a 5-year period resulted in a 30% increase in mortality risk, whereas two or more decreases predicted a 70% increase in mortality risk (Duncan, 1996). (Gallo et al., 2003) Self-selection / “drift” hypothesis Role of physical / infectious / environmental v. ψ causes Race controlling for SES: 1st generation middle class may still harbor stresses & behavioral patterns common to lower SES community

Gallo: “reserve capacity”