Environmental health equity: moving toward a solution-oriented research agenda

Zota, Ami R.; Shamasunder, Bhavna

doi:10.1038/s41370-021-00333-5

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“… 43 These differences in exposure may, in part, be driven by the environmental injustice of beauty. 44 BIPOC individuals experience a greater pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards including light skin, straight hair, and clean and fresh scent which may influence PCP use. In fact, a recent community-based research study by members of our study team demonstrated that racialized beauty norms can impact personal decisions to use chemical straighteners and skin lighteners among women and femme-identifying individuals in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx.…”

Section: Sex- and Gender-specific Exposuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposomics as a tool to investigate differences in health and disease by sex and gender

et al. 2023

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The health and disease of an individual is mediated by their genetics, a lifetime of environmental exposures, and interactions between the two. Genetic or biological sex, including chromosome composition and hormone expression, may influence both the types and frequency of environmental exposures an individual experiences, as well as the biological responses an individual has to those exposures. Gender identity, which can be associated with social behaviors such as expressions of self, may also mediate the types and frequency of exposures an individual experiences. Recent advances in exposome-level analysis have progressed our understanding of how environmental factors affect health outcomes; however, the relationship between environmental exposures and sex- and gender-specific health remains underexplored. The comprehensive, non-targeted, and unbiased nature of exposomic research provides a unique opportunity to systematically evaluate how environmental exposures interact with biological sex and gender identity to influence health. In this forward-looking narrative review, we provide examples of how biological sex and gender identity influence environmental exposures, discuss how environmental factors may interact with biological processes, and highlight how an intersectional approach to exposomics can provide critical insights for sex- and gender-specific health sciences.

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Section: Sex- and Gender-specific Exposuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposomics as a tool to investigate differences in health and disease by sex and gender

et al. 2023

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“…22 An example of class-based oppression in epidemiological research can be seen in studies conducted on environmental health disparities. [23][24][25][26] Low-income and working-class communities, often with a high proportion of racial and ethnic minorities, are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards such as air pollution, contaminated water, and toxic waste. 27 These communities are often located near industrial facilities, landfills, or major highways, which contribute to poor air quality and other health risks.…”

Section: The Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decolonizing Epidemiological Research: A Critical Perspective

Adebisi

2023

Avicenna J Med

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Decolonizing epidemiological research is a crucial endeavor. Historically, colonial and imperialistic ideologies have pervaded epidemiology, leading to an emphasis on Western perspectives and the neglect of indigenous and other marginalized communities' needs and experiences. To effectively address health disparities and promote justice and equality, acknowledging and addressing these power imbalances are imperative. In this article, I highlight the need of decolonizing epidemiological research and make recommendations. These include increasing the representation of researchers from underrepresented communities, ensuring that epidemiological research is contextually relevant and responsive to the experiences of these communities, and collaborating with policymakers and advocacy groups to inform policies and practices that benefit all populations. Moreover, I underscore the importance of recognizing and valuing the knowledge and skills of marginalized populations, and integrating traditional knowledge—the distinct, culturally specific understanding unique to a particular group—into research efforts. I also emphasize the need of capacity building and equitable research collaborations and authorship as well as epidemiological journal editorship. Decolonizing epidemiology research is a continual process that requires continuing discourse, collaboration, and education.

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“…Unfortunately, healthcare providers know little about EDCs and seldom offer steps to patients to limit exposure [101][102][103][104]. Given that disparities in EDC exposure are well documented [105,106], collaborative efforts are needed between scientists and healthcare organizations to develop products that improve provider knowledge about EDCs and support the use of safer alternatives in medical devices and other equipment. Healthcare providers are well positioned to communicate safe and simple steps to limit exposures; however, knowledge about environmental exposures remains limited, and healthcare providers still have modest self-efficacy in managing common exposures and communicating advice for prevention [101,103,107,108].…”

Section: Healthcare As a Vector Of Edc Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals: Mainstream recognition of health effects and implications for the practicing internist

Trasande,

Sargis

2023

J Intern Med

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Rapidly advancing evidence documents that a broad array of synthetic chemicals found ubiquitously in the environment contribute to disease and disability across the lifespan. Although the early literature focused on early life exposures, endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are now understood to contribute substantially to chronic disease in adulthood, especially metabolic, cardiovascular, and reproductive consequences as well as endocrine cancers. The contribution to mortality is substantial, with over 90,000 deaths annually and at least $39 billion/year in lost economic productivity in the United States (US) due to exposure to certain phthalates that are used as plasticizers in food packaging. Importantly, exposures are disproportionately high in low‐income and minoritized populations, driving disparities in these conditions. Though non‐Hispanic Blacks and Mexican Americans comprise 12.6% and 13.5% of the US population, they bear 16.5% and 14.6% of the disease burden due to EDCs, respectively. Many of these exposures can be modified through safe and simple behavioral changes supported by proactive government action to both limit known hazardous exposures and to proactively screen new industrial chemicals prior to their use. Routine healthcare maintenance should include guidance to reduce EDC exposures, and a recent report by the Institute of Medicine suggests that testing be conducted, particularly in populations heavily exposed to perfluoroalkyl substances—chemicals used in nonstick coatings as well as oil‐ and water‐resistant clothing.

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Environmental health equity: moving toward a solution-oriented research agenda

Cited by 10 publications

References 4 publications

Exposomics as a tool to investigate differences in health and disease by sex and gender

Exposomics as a tool to investigate differences in health and disease by sex and gender

Decolonizing Epidemiological Research: A Critical Perspective

Endocrine‐disrupting chemicals: Mainstream recognition of health effects and implications for the practicing internist

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