DNA methylation & adversity: My Body My Story (MBMS) epigenetic analytic dataset (R01 MD014304, 2019–2026)

The DNA methylation & adversity study (NIH R01MD014304; Project Period: 09/01/2019–03/31/2026) investigates how DNA methylation (DNAm) varies with exposure to racial discrimination, economic hardship, and air pollution, and how these epigenetic changes may contribute to inequities in cardiometabolic disease risk and accelerated aging (epigenetic age > chronological age). This dataset record documents the My Body My Story (MBMS) epigenetic analytic dataset used for the R01MD014304 analyses. MBMS (NIH R01AG027122; Project Period: 9/15/2007–6/30/2013) is a cross‑sectional, population‑based study of racial discrimination and cardiometabolic health that recruited a random sample of 1,005 U.S‑born non‑Hispanic Black (n = 504) and non‑Hispanic White (n = 501) adults ages 35–64 from four community health centers in Boston, Massachusetts (2008–2010). MBMS includes detailed measures of racial discrimination and socioeconomic position across the life course, residential air pollution, cardiometabolic outcomes, and relevant covariates. For R01MD014304, stored MBMS dried blood spots were assayed in 2020–2021 using the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip, generating genome‑wide DNAm data for 293 participants. The de‑identified epigenetic analytic dataset described here includes DNAm measures (including multiple epigenetic clocks and other DNAm‑based indices) linked to MBMS social, clinical, and contextual variables needed for the project’s main analyses. For comparison purposes, the R01MD014304 project also uses analogous data from the Multi‑Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) and publicly available U.S. Census and environmental data. These external datasets are not included in the MBMS epigenetic analytic dataset documented here; investigators must obtain them directly from the original sources. MESA data must be requested directly from the MESA study. Materials in this Dataverse record: This record provides formal citation information and the core materials needed to construct the de‑identified MBMS epigenetic analytic dataset. These materials are bundled in the file “Create-Analytic-MBMS-Dataset-main.zip” and mirrored in a dedicated GitHub repository for analytic dataset construction. Contents include: a data dictionary and codebook describing all variables in the analytic dataset; documentation of variable derivations and data sources; copies of MBMS survey and participant booklet instruments used in this project; and R scripts that create the analytic dataset described here. Neither this Dataverse record nor its GitHub mirror contains any individual‑level MBMS or MESA data. Additional public code and contextual data (hosted externally): Code used for specific published analyses and for generating public, non‑human‑subjects contextual measures is available in separate repositories. These repositories do not include MBMS or MESA individual‑level data but document analytic workflows and public inputs. Key repositories include: Code to generate multiple epigenetic clocks for MBMS and MESA datasets: epigenetic_clocks_mbms_mesa Code for the epigenome‑wide analysis (EWAS) of DNAm, racialized and economic inequities, and air pollution: EWAS_of_social_inequities DNAmAndAdversity_public R package and shared analysis functions (with private data omitted) (archived at Zenodo) Census‑derived ICE metrics and other contextual measures for MBMS and MESA participants, created from publicly available U.S. Census and American Community Survey data: CensusData A consolidated, up‑to‑date list of these and related resources is also maintained on the Krieger Research Group data sharing resources page. Data Storage: The de‑identified analytic dataset is stored on secure Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health servers managed by Harvard Chan School Information Technology. Data Access: Because the data contain sensitive health, genetic, and social information, the underlying analytic data files are not openly available for download from this repository. Researchers interested in accessing the MBMS epigenetic analytic dataset must apply for this access, via a governed access process and Data Use Agreement (DUA). To apply for data access, please complete the MBMS DNA Methylation Project application form. For details on eligibility, procedures, and data use conditions, see the PDF “EpiMBMS_ANALYTIC_DATASET_ACCESS+TERMS_OF_USE.pdf” included in this record.