Research Shows Racism May Influence Infant Brain Development

The intergenerational impact of racism on the newborn brain.

Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

Key points

• Maternal experiences of racism link to stronger brain connectivity in newborns, affecting fear and vigilance.
• High connectivity in brain networks may predispose infants to anxiety/mental health challenges later in life.
• Addressing racism and supporting families is vital for the healthy development of future generations.

By Tammi Kral, senior scientist at Healthy Minds Innovations

Racism is a public health crisis that affects the mental and physical well-being of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). But how far-reaching are these effects? Recent research reveals that maternal experiences of racism may influence brain development in the next generation. Intergenerational effects of trauma and stress have previously been documented in animal models, but this is some of the first research to show an impact on the infant brain in humans. Our team of researchers, led by Sarah Short at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Cathi Propper at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, recently published a study in Scientific Reports that explores how the experience of racism among pregnant individuals can shape the brain connectivity of their newborns. (Kral et al., 2024).

The Biology of Racism’s Impact

The brain is a dynamic organ, especially during infancy and prenatal development. According to previous studies, prenatal brain development is susceptible to the stressors of parents during pregnancy—such as experiencing racism. The release of stress hormones can impact fetal development, as these hormones cross the placental barrier and affect the developing brain. In our study, we focused on two key regions of the brain: the amygdala and the hippocampus. These areas are critical for processing fear, anxiety, and memory and are highly sensitive to stress. By examining how these regions connect with other parts of the brain in newborns, we found significant differences for infants based on the level of maternal experiences of racism, reported prenatally.

Findings: A Brain Wired for Vigilance

We collected brain images of newborns whose mothers reported more or less experiences of racism. When their mothers had higher experiences of racism, newborns had stronger connectivity between the right amygdala and other brain areas like the visual cortex (vision) and the thalamus (the brain’s “relay station”; involved in sleep, consciousness, learning, and memory). Stronger connectivity between these brain regions may prime the developing brains to be more vigilant and reactive to threats.

Similarly, we observed that the hippocampus, another region involved in memory and emotion regulation, showed stronger connectivity with visual and spatial processing areas. While these differences might appear to help an infant prepare for potential threats, they also raise concerns. As children grow, being overly vigilant or reactive can contribute to higher risks for anxiety disorders, depression, and other behavioral challenges. Moreover, the view that hyper-vigilance may be an adaptive trait for BIPOC children is not only bleak but also reflects a harmful bias. As a society, we have a responsibility to create environments where all children, regardless of race, have the opportunity to flourish in safety and well-being.

What Does This Mean for BIPOC Communities?

These findings highlight how maternal experiences of racism have consequences that go beyond immediate mental and physical health impacts: They can influence the next generation, beginning in the womb. This evidence adds to the growing understanding of how racism is not only a social issue but also a biological one, with tangible effects on the health and well-being of BIPOC families.

The takeaway? Addressing racism at its root is essential and requires action for systemic, institutional, and cultural change. Beyond that, providing support for BIPOC individuals through community resources and access to mental health care and the full range of healthcare services, and policy changes can help mitigate these effects. We can also look to the work of BIPOC scholars who are leading the field with research (e.g., on frameworks for racial healing, restorative cultural practices, and ethnic-racial socialization to heal racial trauma). Such interventions are beneficial for adults and crucial for ensuring healthy development for children.

Directions for Future Research

The evidence is clear that racism is a public health issue and may leave a biological imprint that extends far beyond the individuals who experience it, potentially affecting their children even before they are born.

While our study sheds light on these significant patterns, it is only the beginning. Future research needs to replicate these findings with larger, more-diverse groups and to track how these early brain changes influence behavior and mental health over time. It is also critical to investigate the interactions between various factors—like poverty, healthcare access, and other forms of trauma—to understand the full scope of these influences.

Further research on the biological impact of racism can help raise awareness of the deep and pervasive impacts of racism and underscore the necessity for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders to work collaboratively to support BIPOC families. Reducing racism and offering resources for coping and resilience-building are moral imperatives and necessary steps to improve health outcomes for future generations.

Tangible Steps for Change

One relevant program that could be applied in this context is the Healthy Minds Innovations framework for learning the skills of well-being. This approach is rooted in the four scientific pillars of a healthy mind: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. These pillars provide a pathway for individuals and communities to develop the skills of well-being. Here’s how these skills can be applied to confront racism and its deeply harmful effects:

1. Awareness: Cultivate an understanding of how racism impacts individuals and families and bring awareness to how racist tropes show up in media and can bias our perceptions. Practice active listening, curiosity, and being fully present in conversations—even when we have a similar experience to others, it’s important to remain open. By increasing awareness, we can begin to see the systemic nature of racism and recognize the need for change in our communities, policies, and institutions.
2. Connection: Build relationships rooted in compassion and respect. Supporting BIPOC communities and standing against racism involves showing up and fostering connections that bridge perceived divisions. Whether volunteering for community organizations, celebrating BIPOC cultures and creating space for BIPOC pride and cultural expression, practicing perspective-taking, or simply being a compassionate presence, connection helps create a web of support that strengthens resilience.
3. Insight: Reflect on how your actions—and assumptions—contribute to the broader social fabric. Ask yourself: What are the systems and structures that perpetuate racism, and how can I use my voice to challenge them? How might my personal experiences inform—and possibly cloud—my understanding of others’ experiences of racism? For example, shared emotions can facilitate empathy and, at the same time, can lead to a false sense of understanding others’ experience. Insight involves practicing curiosity to learn how our daily choices and assumptions, from our personal interactions to the act of voting, impact our communities.
4. Purpose: Reflect on your values and how they may inform your daily life. Find a deeper sense of purpose through aligning your actions with your values. Purpose gives direction to our actions, empowering us to advocate for policies and programs that support our communities, such as expanded access to mental health, reproductive, and other healthcare services; institutional reforms and civil rights; and anti-racism education. When our actions align with a greater purpose based on values like equity and justice, we can create meaningful and sustainable change.

To find additional support related to this topic, this scientific framework is freely available at hminnovations.org.