Black Americans live an average of 4.4 years less than White Americans. Black men in Boston live 9 years less than everyone else in the city. This is not a coincidence and it is not about personal choices. Researchers call it "weathering," the chronic stress of racism wearing the body down over time, accelerating biological aging and driving earlier illness and death. And here's the part that stops you cold: even high levels of education and income do not protect Black people from the increased risks of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and premature death. Residential segregation alone widens the Black-White lifespan gap by roughly 16 years for men and 5 years for women. This gap is not a reflection of willpower. It is a reflection of unequal access to healthcare, safe housing, economic opportunity and the daily toll of living in a racist society. The good news? The gap has narrowed before and is rising again. And proven daily habits: staying active, eating well, getting screened ea...