Epigenetics and Understanding the Impact of Social Determinants of Health

Daniel A Notterman; Colter Mitchell

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2015.05.012

Epigenetics and Understanding the Impact of Social Determinants of Health

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2015 Oct;62(5):1227-40. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2015.05.012.

Authors

Daniel A Notterman¹, Colter Mitchell²

Affiliations

¹ Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. Electronic address: DAN1@princeton.edu.
² Institute of Social Research, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 426 Thompson Street, 2264 ISR, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA.

Abstract

Recently, a new research agenda emphasizing interactions between social factors and health has emerged. The term social determinant of health often refers to any nonmedical factor directly influencing health. Health across the life span is strongly and adversely affected by social disadvantage. Research in epigenetics indicates that alterations in DNA methylation may provide a causal link between social adversity and health disparity. Likewise, accelerated loss of telomeres is correlated with chronic stress. Research is still required to develop an understanding of the role of epigenetics and perturbed telomere function in linking social adversity with health outcome.

Keywords: DNA; Epigenetics; Health disparity; Methylation; Social disparity; Telomere.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Health Status Disparities*
Humans
Social Determinants of Health*
Telomere

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding