Unveiling Health Differences: Beyond Genetics
A recent study by Queen Mary University focuses on the need to examine non-genetic social factors, such as lifestyle and neighborhood, to explain health risks and outcomes between men and women. Only a small fraction of proteins showed significant gender differences, challenging the idea that genetics alone can account for these disparities.
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- India
A groundbreaking study from Queen Mary University sheds light on the complex interplay between genetics and social factors in determining health outcomes for men and women. This study, published in Nature Communications, challenges the traditional reliance on genetic factors alone by revealing that lifestyle and neighborhood can significantly impact health risks.
Analyzing data from nearly 56,000 individuals, researchers discovered that only around 100 proteins of the 6,000 studied exhibited substantial gender differences. This finding suggests that genetic similarities between sexes are more pronounced than previously thought. According to Claudia Langenberg, director at Queen Mary University, insights from genetic studies are often applicable to both genders.
The study emphasizes the necessity of considering non-medical factors, such as where people work and live, in precision medicine. Lead author Mine Koprulu hopes these findings will pave the way for more personalized and equitable healthcare solutions, moving beyond the traditional 'one-size-fits-all' approach.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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