How can biomarkers improve our understanding of population health?
The Understanding Society study collects detailed social science information from a representative sample of the UK population at the household level. At waves 2 and 3, biomarkers were measured, allowing interdisciplinary research at the interface of social and biological science.
In this half-day showcase event, speakers will provide insight into the value of Understanding Society’s biological data and its potential future use. We will hear from researchers who have used the data at all levels, including genetic, epigenetic and biomarker data, to understand how our biology interacts with social and environmental factors.
How is neighbourhood deprivation associated with allostatic load, a multiphysiological response to chronic stress? Can we use genetic data to help us understand causal pathways from health to socio-economic position? Do we get the same answers if we use biomarker or self report data to measure exposures such as smoking? Is a bad job worse that no job for health?
Programme
09.45 – 09.50 – Welcome and Introduction (Chair: Professor Meena Kumari , University of Essex)
09.50 – 10.00 – Overview Understanding Society Biomarkers (Professor Meena Kumari , University of Essex)
10.00 – 10.20 – Neighbourhood deprivation and allostatic load (Dr Lucy Prior, University of Bristol)
10.20 – 10.40 – Biomarkers of smoking and implications on social differences in health (Alex Andrayas, University of Essex)
10.40 – 10.50 – BREAK
10.50 – 11.10 – Biomarker evidence of the relationship between housing and health (Dr Amy Clair, University of Adelaide)
11.10 – 11.30 – Testosterone, risk and socioeconomic position (Dr Amanda Hughes, University of Bristol)
11.30 – 11.50 – Re-employment, job quality and allostatic load (Professor Tarani Chandola, University of Hong Kong)
11.50 – 12.00 – Closing remarks
