Epigenetics, Well-being, Environmental Health Flashcards
Incidence
The number of newly diagnosed cases
Prevealence
Percentage of population living with the condition
Morbidity
Illness/development of an illness
Mortality
Death
What is epigenetics
the study of how internal and external factors affect gene expression by upregulation/downregulation of genes
How do changes in epigenetics occur
- changes in the number of methyl groups attached to a histone protein (turns genes on/off)
- modifications to histones that make up DNA structure
- production of microRNAs that affect gene expression
What are some epigenetic factors
- environmental (external/built environment, natural/physical environment, and internal environment)
- social determinants of health
- lifestyle choices
Geography and health examples of effects on your health
- your zip code based crime, population density, commute times commute time, access to fresh foods
- geographic and political climate affect health
- occupational disease
- environment pathology such as heat/cold related illnesses
- variances in medical treatment
Environmental pathology that can effect ones health
- plastics such as BPA
- pollution in water, air (indoor and outdoor), food, soil
- heat-related illness
Socioeconomic status and its relation to health
- people with lowest income have more health-related problems
- activity limitations caused by chronic disease are 3x higher in people with lower SES compared to highest income bracket
- homeless/unsheltered have significant healthcare needs
Social determinants of health
- The circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work and age and the systems put in place to deal with illness
- ex: socioeconomic status, access to health care, education, employment, social interactions, income, stress, access to food, and transportation, addictions, early life ETC
Positive factors on epigenetics and social support
- access to goods and services, close family ties, help-seeking behaviors
Negative factors on epigeneitcs and social support
poverty, discrimination, conflict, political unrest
Environmental barriers to health eating
- factors: food supply, nutritional content of foods, portion sizes, fast food, eating out
Grocery store offerings
- Higher income neighborhoods: more food choices with lower calorie density such as fruit and veggies
- lower income neighborhoods: more energy dense foods that are linked to obesity (more processed)
barriers to physical activity
- pandemic
- screen time
- cars
- automation
- reduced accessibility to parks
Cultural Competence
ability of health care providers and systems to provide care to patients/clients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors
Cultural responsiveness
incorporates a lifelong commitment to responding to the needs of patients with an understanding of contextual factors to achieve maximum patient outcomes
- includes being aware of bias that could impact interactions, diagnoses and perceptions
Transnational competence
includes addressing physical and mental health related to geographic dislocation adaption to unfamiliar setting, discrimination, family fragmentation, insecurity of immigration status
- what happens when people move to a new place
telomere and theory of aging
- as cells age and experience epigenetic changes it changes how they function
- telomeres are sequences of nucleic acid at ends of chromosomes that are shortened during cellular division
- also can be shortened by telomerase
- the shortening can change gene expression
telomerase inhibitors may reduce epigenetic effects
Epigenetics and nutrition: processed/sugary foods
- can kill helpful bacteria in the gut and increase intestinal permeability
- Enteric nervous system changes affect neurotransmitters, pain response and brain function
- PTs should have basic knowledge of nutrition to pass onto patients such as prebiotic foods and nutrients
Epigenetics and physical activity
- regular physical activity can cause positive epigenetic changes
- increased chronic disease in sedentary individuals
- decrease in chronic disease in more active people
- decrease in severity of chronic conditions with the addition of physical activity
