CRP and Stroke: Second, we hypothesize that the higher levels of CRP found in non-Hispanic Black participants are characteristic of a chronic stress response that results from persistent experiences with structural racism.16,63,64 Therefore, chronic systemic inflammation may predispose Black participants for other competing events such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and premature death;36,65,66 which in turn may affect Black participants’ likelihood of retention during the study period.