Uncovering hidden dangers: How environmental research can prevent cancer
When a Black woman in the US is diagnosed with breast cancer, she has a 40% higher risk of death from the disease than a white woman diagnosed at the same stage. Black women are also more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer.
This is not due to a genetic predisposition. Rather, environmental factors, along with unequal access to healthcare, disproportionately impact Black women, increasing their risk of more severe outcomes from cancer.
Eradicating health disparities like this one is the goal of Justin Colacino's work.
“What excites me about environmental health is this bridge we can form from basic science to policy that can improve people’s lives,” said Colacino, associate professor of Environmental Health Sciences and Nutritional Sciences at the U-M School of Public Health.
Central to his work is exploring the chemicals present in everyday elements such as air, food and water. His goal is to determine how these elements contribute to disease, particularly across different demographic and socioeconomic groups.
His research examines how laboratory data can inform and shape essential environmental policies such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. By performing controlled experiments on cells, his team gathers data that regulators can use to develop standards that influence public health policy.
These inequities are starkly visible, particularly concerning breast cancer outcomes for Black women in the US. They face a 40% higher mortality rate after diagnosis compared to their white counterparts and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of the disease.
The interdisciplinary nature of Michigan Public Health provides a unique landscape for Colacino's endeavors. He highlights the university’s collaborative environment, which promotes teamwork and the sharing of ideas as critical to tackling complex health issues.
Colacino co-leads the Public Health IDEAS for Building Health Equity initiative with Enrique W. Neblett Jr., professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity, that emphasizes the school’s commitment to addressing health inequities.
“The willingness to work together sets Michigan apart,” he said. “It’s a place ready to tackle big problems like health inequities.”
Colacino’s research group utilizes both laboratory research and sophisticated data analysis to better understand how environmental factors influence gene expression and disease progression.
Colacino is also inspired by the students he mentors and teaches. According to him, their enthusiasm and inquisitive nature are crucial in driving the research forward.
“Their passion fuels our work,” he said. “Seeing them grow and contribute is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job.”
Colacino’s innovative efforts have substantially advanced the field of environmental health sciences while supporting Michigan Public Health’s mission.
