AUTHOR=Mancilla Viviana J. , Peeri Noah C. , Silzer Talisa , Basha Riyaz , Felini Martha , Jones Harlan P. , Phillips Nicole , Tao Meng-Hua , Thyagarajan Srikantha , Vishwanatha Jamboor K. TITLE=Understanding the Interplay Between Health Disparities and Epigenomics JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics VOLUME=11 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2020.00903 DOI=10.3389/fgene.2020.00903 ISSN=1664-8021 ABSTRACT=

Social epigenomics has emerged as an integrative field of research focused on identification of socio-environmental factors, their influence on human biology through epigenomic modifications, and how they contribute to current health disparities. Several health disparities studies have been published using genetic-based approaches; however, increasing accessibility and affordability of molecular technologies have allowed for an in-depth investigation of the influence of external factors on epigenetic modifications (e.g., DNA methylation, micro-RNA expression). Currently, research is focused on epigenetic changes in response to environment, as well as targeted epigenetic therapies and environmental/social strategies for potentially minimizing certain health disparities. Here, we will review recent findings in this field pertaining to conditions and diseases over life span encompassing prenatal to adult stages.