How are social determinants of health integrated into epigenetic research? A systematic review

Evans, Linnea; Engelman, Michal; Mikulas, Alex; Malecki, Kristen

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113738

Cited by 47 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 127 publications

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“…Additionally, recent research highlights the important role of genetic variation in genes implicated in the biological stress response (e.g., CRHR1, CRHR2, NR3C1), and how epigenetic processes (i.e., modifications to the genome that may lead to changes in gene functionality and phenotypic expression) such as DNA methylation [i.e., the addition of methyl groups to DNA that regulate gene expression; see ( 130 ) for discussion on epigenetic research] can impact the functionality of these genes and subsequently stress reactivity [see ( 131 , 132 )]. In addition to examining responsivity of the HPAA and ANS, integration of epigenetic processes may yield further clarity on how exposure to racism may contribute to health disparities through changes in HPAA and ANS functionality mediated by differential gene expression.…”

Section: Rationale For Expanding Biobehavioral Research Examining the Physiological Consequences Of Racial And Ethnic Discrimination In Lmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Biobehavioral Research to Examine the Physiological Effects of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in the Latinx Population

Martínez

Mercado

Barbieri

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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A growing body of research is documenting how racial and ethnic populations embody social inequalities throughout the life course. Some scholars recommend the integration of biospecimens representing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurological and endocrinological processes, and inflammation to capture the embodiment of inequality. However, in comparison to other racial and ethnic groups, there has been little research examining how Hispanic/Latinx persons embody racial and ethnic discrimination, much less resulting from institutional and structural racism. We provide a rationale for expanding biobehavioral research examining the physiological consequences of racism among Latinx persons. We identify gaps and make recommendations for a future research agenda in which biobehavioral research can expand knowledge about chronic disease inequities among Latinx populations and inform behavioral and institutional interventions. We end by cautioning readers to approach the recommendations in this article as a call to expand the embodiment of racism research to include the diverse Latinx population as the United States addresses racial inequity.

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Section: Rationale For Expanding Biobehavioral Research Examining the Physiological Consequences Of Racial And Ethnic Discrimination In Lmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Biobehavioral Research to Examine the Physiological Effects of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in the Latinx Population

Martínez

Mercado

Barbieri

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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“…This in particular requires regarding factors such as race/ethnicity, gender and socio-economic position not as individual-level characteristics, but complex social processes that stratify society into different groups. 33 In addition, we need studies with larger, more diverse population-based samples in order to produce knowledge on how different social determinants such as socio-economic position, race and ethnic background contribute to the development of health and disease. 33 Such studies should explicitly engage with social science understandings of the social determinants of health in order to inform research questions, data gathering and the interpretation of results.…”

Section: Dohad and Community Resilience In The Covid Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

“…33 In addition, we need studies with larger, more diverse population-based samples in order to produce knowledge on how different social determinants such as socio-economic position, race and ethnic background contribute to the development of health and disease. 33 Such studies should explicitly engage with social science understandings of the social determinants of health in order to inform research questions, data gathering and the interpretation of results. Currently, funding avenues for integrating social scientists into the design and conduct of cohort studies are limited, and we need new funding schemes for such interdisciplinary work.…”

Section: Dohad and Community Resilience In The Covid Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, resilience and social justice in the COVID era

Penkler

Jacob

Müller

et al. 2021

J Dev Orig Health Dis

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The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on how health outcomes are unequally distributed among different population groups, with disadvantaged communities and individuals being disproportionality affected in terms of infection, morbidity and mortality, as well as vaccine access. Recently, there has been considerable debate about how social disadvantage and inequality intersect with developmental processes to result in a heightened susceptibility to environmental stressors, economic shocks and large-scale health emergencies. We argue that DOHaD Society members can make important contributions to addressing issues of inequality and improving community resilience in response to COVID-19. In order to do so, it is beneficial to engage with and adopt a social justice framework. We detail how DOHaD can align its research and policy recommendations with a social justice perspective to ensure that we contribute to improving the health of present and future generations in an equitable and socially just way.

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“…In recent years, studies demonstrating epigenetic and developmental sensitivity to early environments, as exemplified by fields like the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and environmental epigenetics, are bringing new data and models to bear on these debates (Evans et al, 2021 ). The DOHaD field explores the environmental sensitivity of prenatal and early postnatal development to long‐term health and disease risk, including via epigenetic changes that influence gene regulation (Gluckman et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Introduction: From Genetic To Biosocial Determinism? Forward...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A biosocial return to race? A cautionary view for the postgenomic era

Meloni

Moll

Issaka

et al. 2022

American J Hum Biol

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Recent studies demonstrating epigenetic and developmental sensitivity to early environments, as exemplified by fields like the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) and environmental epigenetics, are bringing new data and models to bear on debates about race, genetics, and society. Here, we first survey the historical prominence of models of environmental determinism in early formulations of racial thinking to illustrate how notions of direct environmental effects on bodies have been used to naturalize racial hierarchy and inequalities in the past. Next, we conduct a scoping review of postgenomic work in environmental epigenetics and DOHaD that looks at the role of race/ethnicity in human health (2000–2021). Although there is substantial heterogeneity in how race is conceptualized and interpreted across studies, we observe practices that may unwittingly encourage typological thinking, including: using DNA methylation as a novel marker of racial classification; neglect of variation and reversibility within supposedly homogenous racial groups; and a tendency to label and reify whole groups as pathologized or impaired. Even in the very different politico‐economic and epistemic context of contemporary postgenomic science, these trends echo deeply held beliefs in Western thinking which claimed that different environments shape different bodies and then used this logic to argue for essential differences between Europeans and non‐Europeans. We conclude with a series of suggestions on interpreting and reporting findings in these fields that we feel will help researchers harness this work to benefit disadvantaged groups while avoiding the inadvertent dissemination of new and old forms of stigma or prejudice.

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How are social determinants of health integrated into epigenetic research? A systematic review

Cited by 47 publications

References 127 publications

The Importance of Biobehavioral Research to Examine the Physiological Effects of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in the Latinx Population

The Importance of Biobehavioral Research to Examine the Physiological Effects of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in the Latinx Population

Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, resilience and social justice in the COVID era

A biosocial return to race? A cautionary view for the postgenomic era

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