Introduction to the special section on discrimination.

Health Psychology is publishing this special section, consisting of five papers. The first paper looks at the role discrimination plays in the sexual risk behavior of young pregnant women. The second evaluates the impact lifetime racism has on blood pressure during pregnancy, and the effects this may have on fetal growth. The third paper provides data on the degree to which systemic racism serves as a moderator of the relationship between provider racial bias and hypertension treatment adherence. The fourth evaluates discrimination as a mediator of health status and health behavior. The final one provides a systematic review of the impact of perceived discrimination on hypertension. One goal of this special section is to encourage investigators who read Health Psychology and who are interested in health disparities of any kind to include issues related to discrimination as part of their research. 2014 APA, all rights reserved