Human social genomics: Concepts, mechanisms, and implications for health

Abstract

The exciting field of human social genomics provides an evolutionarily informed, multilevel framework for understanding how positive and negative social–environmental experiences affect the genome to impact lifelong health, well‐being, behavior, and longevity. In this review, we first summarize common patterns of socially influenced changes in the expression of pro‐inflammatory and antiviral immune response genes (e.g., the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity), and the multilevel psychological, neural, and cell signaling pathways by which social factors regulate human gene expression. Second, we examine how these effects are moderated by genetic polymorphisms and the specific types of social–environmental experiences that most strongly affect gene expression and health. Third, we identify positive psychosocial experiences and interventions that have been found to impact gene expression. Finally, we discuss promising opportunities for future research on this topic and how health care providers can use this information to improve patient health and well‐being.

Interstitial cystitis—an imbalance of risk and protective factors?

“…The CTRA has been linked to various adverse health outcomes, such as increased risk of infection, inflammation, and chronic disease. It also appears to be responsive to effective therapy, which may permit its use in clinical studies of palliative and other complementary approaches to care ( 91 ). Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR-4) receptors can trigger an inflammatory response to bacterial components like LPS and immune stimulation by the CTRS in patients with IC and related COPC.…”

“…We humans are an ultra-social species, the most social mammal on earth. Our health and well-being depend on the quality of our social connections, which share the importance of safety, food, and sex for our existence ( 90 , 91 ). We have survived evolution by connecting with other humans to forage, hunt, and fight off enemies together ( 92 ).…”

Scaling group consultations – the fourth healthcare revolution: A call to action to save primary care

“…The transformative impact of the compassionate communities created can be seen in the work of Julianne Holt‐Lunstad 14 and the outcomes from Frome, including reduced hospital admissions and cost 15 . This is also supported by the plausible mechanisms described by Slavich et al 16 . The impact of good social relationships is often left out in the consideration of management of chronic disease.…”

The Psychoneuroimmunological Model of Moral Distress and Health in Healthcare Workers: Toward Individual and System-Level Solutions

“…Individuals vary substantially in their response to adversity, with a considerable proportion manifesting resilience [ 144 ]. Epigenetic mechanisms, especially alterations in DNA methylation and abnormal microRNAs (miRNA) expression, may be an important molecular pathway explaining individual differences in stress responses and through which psychopathology and human diseases occurs [ [145] , [146] , [147] , [148] , [149] , [150] , [151] ].…”