Weathering

The Extraordinary Stress of Ordinary Life in an Unjust Society

By: Dr. Arline T. Geronimus

Narrated by: Alma Cuervo

Fusing science and social justice, renowned public health researcher Dr. Arline T. Geronimus offers an urgent and necessary book exploring the ways in which systemic injustice erodes the health of marginalized people.

America has woken up to what many of its citizens have known for centuries and to what public health statistics have evidenced for decades: systemic injustice takes a physical, too often deadly, toll on Black, brown, working class and poor communities, and any group who experiences systemic cultural oppression or economic exploitation. Marginalized Americans are disproportionately more likely to suffer from chronic diseases and to die at much younger ages than their middle- and upper-class white counterparts. Black mothers die during childbirth at a rate three times higher than white mothers. White kids in high-poverty Appalachian regions have a healthy life expectancy of 50 years old, while the vast majority of US youth can expect to both survive and be able-bodied at 50, with decades of healthy life expectancy ahead of them. In the face of such clear inequity, we must ask ourselves why this is, and what we can we do.

Dr. Arline T. Geronimus coined the term “weathering” to describe the effects of systemic oppression—including racism and classism—on the body. In Weathering, based on more than 30 years of research, she argues that health and aging have more to do with how society treats us than how well we take care of ourselves. She explains what happens to human bodies as they attempt to withstand and overcome the challenges and insults that society leverages at them, and details how this process ravages their health. And she proposes solutions.

Until now, there has been little discussion about the insidious effects of social injustice on the body. Weathering shifts the paradigm, shining a light on the topic and offering a roadmap for hope.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Dr. Arline T. Geronimus (P)2023 Little, Brown Spark

Critic reviews

“One of the most significant public health research discoveries of the last few decades is this: when it comes to health and aging, how society treats us has more of an impact than how we take care of ourselves. In this monumental book, Arline T. Geronimus meticulously demonstrates that systemic injustice isn’t just oppressive—it’s toxic on the body; it’s deadly.”—Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning

“Superbly insightful. If this unique volume did nothing else, I would recommend Weathering as the book on healthcare disparities. But it also distills and delivers its scholarship and insight in engaging narratives, including compelling personal histories so that you will glean your education in racial health disparities—and how to end them—quite painlessly. In fact, reading Weathering, with its clear-eyed mixture of reality and hope, is a delight.”—Harriet A. Washington, author of A Terrible Thing to Waste and Medical Apartheid

“Arline Geronimus brings together a lifetime of research, scholarship, and experience to explain how continually battling back oppression hurts the human body. Her book offers an eloquent, comprehensive and compassionate framework for understanding the physiological effects of societal harm and a path to healing.”—Linda Villarosa, author of Under the Skin

A Must Read

For all who believe our lives are all connected, this is a must read and study to move to a more equitable society. It is factual, emotional and practical. Easy to read, understand and implement.

the impact

it's great to explore the impact of stress on the body. we should all be aware!

Racism - interpersonal and systemic - has profound health impacts

This work explores how racism impacts people at a molecular level - increasing disease and shortening lives. Outlawing segregation and discrimination did not heal us. We have much work to do to ensure everyone has access to a healthy and free life. Read and learn more about what can be done

So glad I listened to this

Every policymaker in the country needs to read this book. Very insightful, informative and inspiring.

A must read, 100%

This book has up to date information about the true experiences of people in the US who aren’t considered to be important enough for policymakers, but are the heart and backbone of this country.

Necessary read

This is a necessary read for anyone looking to enact change to disparities that exist across systems in the US. Thank you for this thought provoking work that provides real steps everyone can take to decrease weathering.

Very insightful book on epigenetics

I loved this book. It was an easy to digest work on the physical manifestations of the emotional trauma so many endure on a daily basis.

Awakening

This book has powerful examples of the harm and pervasiveness of racism and marginalization of many communities. Highly recommend.

Excellent.

What a great book. Gave so much detail and depth to my own lived experience as a black woman who also recognizes the weathering the bodies of other marginalized groups. Everyone needs this book. Also, the reader is excellent and enjoyable to listen to.

Chapter 3 was excellent

I'm white and from Flint, MI. I was looking for definitive ways to help weathered people. I agree with so much of the book. The PDFs were helpful. A bit repetitive. Good narration. Good stories. I would not have lumped Jewish people in with this group because I know of so few weathered Jewish people. My best friend is Jewish. And after multiple conversations, she concurs there are a plethora of successful examples and self-confidence overcomes stigma. Perhaps it is an example of prejudice being skin deep? Glad I read it.