Epigenetics, Well-Being, and Environmental Health Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential terminology and concepts regarding epigenetics, social determinants of health, nutrition via the NOVA classification, and the impact of environmental factors and aging on human health.

Incidence

The number of newly diagnosed cases of a disease.

Prevalence

The percentage of a population living with a specific health condition.

Morbidity

A term referring to illness or the state of being diseased.

Mortality

A term referring to death.

Epigenetics

The study of how internal and external factors affect gene expression, including the ability to upregulate or downregulate a gene.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Defined by the WHO as the circumstances in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, and the systems put in place to deal with illness.

DNA Methylation

An epigenetic mechanism involving changes in the number of methyl groups attached to a histone protein, which can turn a gene on or off.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A factor where the lowest income correlates with higher health problems; activity limitations from chronic disease are $3\times$ higher in lower SES brackets compared to the highest income bracket.

Cultural Competence

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

Cultural Responsiveness

A lifelong commitment to responding to the needs of patients with an understanding of contextual factors to achieve maximum patient outcomes.

Transnational Competence

Addressing physical and mental health related to geographic dislocation, adaptation to unfamiliar settings, discrimination, family fragmentation, and insecurity of immigration status.

Environmental Pathology

The study of health conditions caused by environmental factors such as plastics (BPA), pollution (water, air, soil), and heat-related illness.

Micro- and Nanoplastics (MNPs)

Materials that cause cellular damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress, leading to cardiovascular dysfunction and impaired metabolism.

Intestinal Permeability

A condition caused by processed, sugary foods that kill helpful gut bacteria and allow harmful substances to pass directly into the bloodstream.

Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods (NOVA Group 1)

Whole foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, milled grains, eggs, legumes, and yogurt without added sugar.

Processed Culinary Ingredients (NOVA Group 2)

Substances obtained from nature or Group 1 foods including fats, oils (such as olive or palm oil), salt, and sugars (such as maple syrup).

Processed Foods (NOVA Group 3)

Industrial products made by adding salt, sugar, or other substances to Group 1 foods, such as canned vegetables, fresh bread, cheese, and canned fish.

Ultra-processed Foods (NOVA Group 4)

Products made mostly from food extracts, containing hydrogenated fats and additives like flavor enhancers; examples include soda, candy, frozen dinners, and packaged snacks.

AHA Physical Activity Recommendations (Moderate)

A minimum of $150\text{ minutes}$ of moderate physical activity per week.

AHA Physical Activity Recommendations (Vigorous)

A minimum of $75\text{ minutes}$ of vigorous physical activity per week.

ACSM Resistance Training Guidelines

Training major muscle groups with $1\text{ set}$, $8-10\text{ exercises}$, and $8-12\text{ reps}$ at least $2\text{ days/week}$.

Telomeres

Repeated sequences of nucleic acid at the ends of chromosomes that protect the DNA strand from shortening during replication.

Telomerase

An enzyme responsible for adding repeat sequences to the end of DNA; it is primarily present in germline cells and cancer cells, making them "immortal."

Base Pair Loss

The loss of approximately $50-250\text{ base pairs}$ per cell division in humans as telomeres shorten.

Global Stroke Deaths Inequity

The statistic stating that $89\%$ of global stroke deaths and combined disability reside in low-to-middle-income countries.