Genes or Environment

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Every disease is shaped by a genetic component as well as environmental factors like air pollution, climate and socioeconomic status. However, the extent to which genetics or environment plays a role in disease risk — and how much can be attributed to each — isn't well understood. As such, the actions individuals can take to reduce their risk for disease aren't often clear.

A team led by Penn State College of Medicine researchers found a way to tease apart genetic and environmental effects of disease risk using a large, nationally representative sample. They found that, in some cases, previous assessments overstated the contribution of one's genes to disease risk and that lifestyle and environmental factors play a larger role than previously believed. Unlike genetics, environmental factors, like exposure to air pollution, can be more easily modified. That means there are potentially more opportunities to mitigate disease risk.

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