An October 2018 article in Science made the point that “Genetics is hardware, epigenetics is software”. It was over 30 years ago that the first studies were published showing that DNA methylation was altered in human tumors and that distinct epigenetic changes occur in cancer and that disruption of epigenetic processes can lead to altered gene function and malignant cellular transformation. Changes in the epigenetic landscape have become a hallmark in the field of cancer.

The National Academy of Sciences’ Contagion of Violence postulates that we treat violence as an epidemic, “...researchers have recognized the tendency for violent acts to cluster, to spread from place to place, and to mutate from one type to another. Furthermore, violent acts are often preceded or followed by other violent acts. Contextual and social factors play a role in increasing or reducing the risk of violence; such factors might exist at community or individual levels.”

So, if we view violence as an epidemic, then how can we use the lessons learned from the epigenetics of cancer to develop a public heath approach to violence? This is the question which our panel will address by providing data regarding incidence, morbidity, and mortality of cancer; taking a closer look at our genetics with an emphasis on epigenetics; the use of epigenetics in cancer; and how this translates to the development of a public health approach to this nation’s epidemic of violence.

background: The history of United States (US) enslavement and post slavery oppressions disproportionately affects Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). These adverse experiences based, largely on institutional and interpersonal racism are linked to factors that contribute to depression. The objective of this study was to examine the association between perceived racism and reported depression among US NHB and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) men.

methods: Information was extracted from the 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, scientific literature, and popular press (PP) using ATLAS.ti software. The systematic literature reviews conducted used select inclusion and exclusion criteria.

results: In 2014, more NHB men (25%) reported thinking about their race “constantly” compared to NHW men (1.5%). Men (NHB and NHW) who reported thinking about their race “constantly” were more likely to report depression. The scientific literature and PP reported that NHW men have benefitted from generations of socioeconomic advantage and better opportunities within US systems compared to NHB men. Moreover, the legacy of enslavement and current instances of racial oppression and violence through police brutality and racial hate crimes negatively affected NHB men; result, NHB men have masked their depression and depressive symptoms.

conclusion: Racism is a barrier to good mental health. Our results suggest that NHB men are at greater risk of experiencing depression and depressive symptoms because of their experiences with law enforcement, sporadic discrimination, and racial hate crimes. Future research exploring the roots of depression and the extent to which historical and structural racism impacts NHB men and women should be a top priority.

While 1619 is looked upon as a defining moment for Americans of African descent, it is a historical fact that not all of these people were slaves and that the slave trade existed well before 1619. With this as context, slavery remains a permanent blemish on the land of the free and the home of the brave and its impact on the descendants of former slaves is felt to this day.

It's possible that the impact of the hardships our ancestors experienced may have passed down through the line of their families through the process of epigenetics, where the readability, or expression, of genes is modified without changing the DNA code itself. For example, in its conclusion a June 2018 article published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience stated “...Specific genetic variants, in interaction with negative environmental experiences during prenatal life, childhood and adolescence, have been shown to affect the development of long-lasting aggressive behavior and psychiatric disorders in adulthood, with significant social, legal and moral implications...”

Psychologists define resilience as the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress (i.e. family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors). Our panel postulates that transgenerational and environmental trauma play important causal roles in the violent behaviors exhibited by African American youth and that programs focused on building resilience can reverse this disturbing trend.

Background: There are wide racial disparities in firearm homicides with young black men most affected. The built environment is a strong predisposing factor to firearm violence with poverty, crime, and education being strong correlates. Previous studies have linked increased firearm violence to historically redlined areas.

Methodology: Firearm-involved homicide and assault data were obtained from the Boston Police Department from 01/01/2016-12/31/2019 and merged with redlining vector files from Mapping Inequality. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were obtained from the 2017 5-year estimates of the American Community Survey. Social mobility data for white and black children were obtained from Opportunity Insights. Multivariate negative binomial regression was performed and predicted margins graphed over social mobility for red and greenline classification.

Results: In total 7,416 Census blocks in Boston, MA were evaluated. Multivariate regression revealed a 26% decreased rate of shooting per $10,000 increased black income mobility within redlined areas. At higher levels of black social mobility there was no significant difference in predicted shooting between red and green-line. Increasing white social mobility in redlined areas was associated with a 1.19 times increased incident rate of shooting.

Conclusions: Our novel findings suggest that social mobility may be an important mediator between the historical structural racism of redlining and the current urban firearm violence epidemic. The observed disparities in firearm violence between red and greenlined areas were nullified with higher levels of black social mobility, reinforcing the importance of policies around reparations and investment in these segregated areas.