Category: epigenetics

Fulfilling the Promise of Epigenetics Requires More Studies in Diverse Populations

a diverse group of people and a double helix

Two recent articles, one in Nature Genetics and another in Genome Medicine, report the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in epigenetic research. This needs to change in order to fulfill the promise of epigenetics as a tool for health equity science. Health equity is the state where everyone has a fair and just ability Read More >

Posted on by Emily Drzymalla, Danielle Rasooly, Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaTags

Epigenetics: An Emerging Tool for Health Equity Science

people holding hands below DNA

A recent review provides recommendations to improve the scientific investigation of the associations between epigenetic markers, socioeconomic status, and adverse health outcomes. Health equity means that everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Health equity science studies the association between social determinants of health (SDOH) and adverse health outcomes. SDOH refer to Read More >

Posted on by Emily Drzymalla, Marta Gwinn, Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags

Beyond Tuberculosis: BCG Vaccine and Epigenetics

Tuberculosis (TB) infection is spread from person to person by respiratory droplets containing the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This infection mainly affects the lungs and may be fatal if left untreated. TB remains a leading cause of death worldwide. In 1921, a live attenuated vaccine, called the BCG vaccine, was introduced to protect against TB. The Read More >

Posted on by Emily Drzymalla, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta GA and Marta Gwinn, CFOL International, Atlanta GATags

Epigenetics and Public Health: Why We Should Pay Attention

Epigenetics and the Agouti Mouse

In September 2014, one of us (MJK) spoke on the topic of epigenetics at the Annual Meeting of the Association for State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). ASTHO is a national organization representing public health agencies in the United States. ASTHO members formulate and influence public health policy and practice. In the midst of a Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics and Krista Crider, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags , , , ,