Epigenetics

Our heredity — the biological traits passed down from our parents — provides the basic blueprint for health. But heredity alone doesn’t determine destiny. Epigenetics shows us that inherited traits can be shaped by external factors like nutrition, environment, and stress. These influences can trigger changes in gene expression, which can either amplify health risks or build resilience. Policies that support healthier environments for families help ensure that hereditary risk doesn’t automatically translate into poor outcomes.

Our genetic code contains the instructions for every biological process in our bodies. But genes aren’t static. Experiences — from exposure to environmental toxins to experiencing severe stress — can “turn genes on or off,” affecting how they function. These changes can be passed to future generations, meaning today’s challenges can ripple forward into tomorrow. Understanding these mechanisms highlights why investing in prevention and supportive environments pays off across generations.

Social determinants — including racial and ethnic disparities — become biologically embedded. Historical trauma, systemic racism, and environmental exposures disproportionately affecting communities of color leave measurable marks at the genetic level. These epigenetic changes contribute to disparities in chronic disease, birth outcomes, and mental health. Solutions must address the root causes of these inequities, not just their symptoms.

A mother’s health before and during pregnancy shapes her baby’s future health in profound ways. Chronic conditions like diabetes, exposure to stress, or poor nutrition during pregnancy can alter gene expression in the developing fetus. These changes can increase the child’s risk for chronic disease later in life. Ensuring mothers have access to quality care, nutritious food, and supportive environments is a direct investment in the health of the next generation.

What we eat influences more than just our waistlines — it can actually modify how our genes work. During pregnancy and early childhood, nutrition plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Deficiencies in key nutrients like folate, iron, or omega-3 fatty acids can trigger epigenetic changes linked to lifelong health risks, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Policies that ensure equitable access to healthy food are fundamental to preventing these risks.

When stress becomes chronic — from living in poverty, experiencing discrimination, or coping with unstable housing — it doesn’t just affect mental health. It leaves biological fingerprints on our genes, influencing inflammation, immune response, and disease risk. These changes can be passed from parent to child, contributing to intergenerational cycles of poor health. Reducing toxic stress through policy changes that address economic stability, housing security, and community safety is essential to breaking these cycles.

Experiencing trauma — whether it’s childhood abuse, community violence, or the effects of a natural disaster — leaves more than emotional scars. It triggers epigenetic changes that alter brain development, stress response, and immune function. These changes increase the risk for chronic disease, mental illness, and substance use later in life. Trauma-informed care and policies that prevent ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are key to interrupting these patterns.

The process of birth itself can shape health outcomes. Preterm delivery, complications during birth, or a stressful delivery environment can trigger biological stress responses in newborns, influencing gene expression from day one. Supporting safe, healthy births through access to skilled care and reducing racial disparities in maternal outcomes helps set children on a healthier path from the very start.

The process of birth itself can shape health outcomes. Preterm delivery, complications during birth, or a stressful delivery environment can trigger biological stress responses in newborns, influencing gene expression from day one. Supporting safe, healthy births through access to skilled care and reducing racial disparities in maternal outcomes helps set children on a healthier path from the very start.