Association of Education and Receiving Social Transfers with Allostatic Load in the Swiss Population-Based CoLaus Study

Background. Allostatic load reflects cumulative exposure to stressors throughout lifetime and has been associated with several adverse health outcomes. It is hypothesized that people with low socioeconomic status (SES) are exposed to higher chronic stress and have therefore greater levels of allostatic load. Objective. To assess the association of receiving social transfers and low education with allostatic load. Methods. We included 3,589 participants (1,812 women) aged over 35 years and under retirement age from the population-based CoLaus study (Lausanne, Switzerland, 2003-2006)