Institute for Policy Research (IPR)

Northwestern University June 6, 2005

C2SCells to Society

Cells to Society:Center for Social

Disparities and Health

Introductory Conference

• Bring together social and life scientists to understand the origins, consequences, and policy solutions for social and health inequalities in the US

• Explore how social, ethnic, and economic disparities “get under the skin” and affect human development, well-being, and longevity

C2S Mission at IPR

Mission of Institute for Policy Research (IPR)

• Stimulate and support excellent multidisciplinary social science research on significant public policy issues

• Disseminate the findings widely – to scholars, policymakers, educators, service providers, and the public at large

Goals of Introductory Conference

• Engage social, life, and biomedical scientist across Northwestern around the themes of the C2S mission

• Explore possible collaborations

• Discuss ways in which C2Scan develop

C2S Executive Committee at IPR

P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, Ph.D., Director of C2S, Program in Human Development & Social Policy (HDSP), School of Education & Social Policy (SESP)Emma K. Adam, Program in HDSP, SESP

Thomas Cook, Department of Sociology

Greg J. Duncan, Program in HDSP, SESP

Christopher Kuzawa, Department of Anthropology

Thomas McDade, Department of Anthropology

Dorothy Roberts, School of Law

Whitney Perkins Witt, Feinberg School of Medicine

Research Programs of C2S

• Social Disparities, Stress, and Health

• Developmental Perspectives on Health Disparities from Conception through Adulthood

• Families, Relationships, and Health

• Genes, Biology, and Society

Cross-Cutting Themes in C2S

• Race

• Social Inequality

• Culture

• Gender

• Ethics

• Implications for Policy and Practice

Mortality Rate by SES

Source: Adler et al., 1994

00.20.40.60.81

1.21.41.61.822.22.42.62.833.23.43.63.844.24.44.64.855.25.45.65.866.26.46.66.877.27.47.67.888.28.48.68.899.29.49.69.81010.210.410.610.811

highest lowest

Socioeconomic Status

a

b

g

h

Morbidity Rate by SES

Source: Adler et al., 1994

00.20.40.60.811.21.41.61.822.22.42.62.833.23.43.63.844.24.44.64.855.25.45.65.866.26.46.66.877.27.47.67.888.28.48.68.899.29.49.69.81010.210.410.610.811

highest lowest

Socioeconomic Status

a

b

c

d

Developmental Perspectives on Health Disparities from Conception through Adulthood

• Early environment (Prenatal, perinatal)

• Current environment

• Genetic factors

Families, Relationships, and Health

• Inclusion in social groups

• Successful negotiation of personal relationships

• Caregiving

• Family decision-making regarding health

• Biomarkers

Genes, Biology, and Health

• Molecular genetics

• Behavioral genetics

• Twin designs

• Biological programming or organizational set-up

Implications for Policy and Practice

• Extraordinary period of science

• Harness designs that are both environmentally and biologically informed

• More precise and cutting edge knowledge to inform interventions and policy

Future Directions for C2S

• IPR has contributed seed funding

• 2005: Biomarkers workshop with University of Chicago

• 2006: First annual Northwestern Summer Institute on Biomarkers

• 2005-06: Senior Faculty Search, joint with IPR and WCAS

• 2005-2006: Grant Applications to NIH and private foundations