Epigenetics, Well-being, Environmental Health

Question 1

Incidence

Answer 1

The number of newly diagnosed cases

Question 2

Prevealence

Answer 2

Percentage of population living with the condition

Question 3

Morbidity

Answer 3

Illness/development of an illness

Question 4

Mortality

Answer 4

Death

Question 5

What is epigenetics

Answer 5

the study of how internal and external factors affect gene expression by upregulation/downregulation of genes

Question 6

How do changes in epigenetics occur

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

What are some epigenetic factors

Answer 7

• environmental (external/built environment, natural/physical environment, and internal environment)
• social determinants of health
• lifestyle choices

Question 8

Geography and health examples of effects on your health

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

Environmental pathology that can effect ones health

Answer 9

• plastics such as BPA
• pollution in water, air (indoor and outdoor), food, soil
• heat-related illness

Question 10

Socioeconomic status and its relation to health

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Social determinants of health

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

Positive factors on epigenetics and social support

Answer 12

• access to goods and services, close family ties, help-seeking behaviors

Question 13

Negative factors on epigeneitcs and social support

Answer 13

poverty, discrimination, conflict, political unrest

Question 14

Environmental barriers to health eating

Answer 14

• 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)

Question 15

barriers to physical activity

Answer 15

• pandemic
• screen time
• cars
• automation
• reduced accessibility to parks

Question 16

Cultural Competence

Answer 16

ability of health care providers and systems to provide care to patients/clients with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors

Question 17

Cultural responsiveness

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Transnational competence

Answer 18

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

Question 19

telomere and theory of aging

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

Epigenetics and nutrition: processed/sugary foods

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Epigenetics and physical activity

Answer 21

• 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