An Introduction to Evolutionary Genetics in Epidemiology and Precision Medicine

Evolutionary processes provide the foundation for understanding the origins and distribution of inherited and environmentally influenced variation among populations and species of all organisms. Demographic (Malthusian) factors, evolutionary (Darwinian) forces, genetic (Mendelian) principles, and ecological/environmental factors either independently or collectively influence differential survival and reproduction rates. These factors affect the health and longevity of individuals within diverse populations of organisms, including humans. We define the interplay of these forces as Darwinian processes. In parallel, epidemiology and public health focus on the determinants and distribution of human diseases and mortality. They address the origin, distribution, management, and control of agents responsible for both communicable and non-communicable diseases across populations. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of how the foundational principles of evolutionary genetics and public health intersect to shape human health, disease, longevity, and potential short-term evolutionary adaptations and trajectories. Through interdisciplinary approaches, we explore the nexus of evolutionary genetics and public health by placing our discussions within the broader contexts of comparative medicine and environmental factors, such as the One Health concept and global warming. This approach highlights the collective influence of Darwinian processes on the maintenance and evolution of health and disease, which are interpreted in terms of Darwinian fitness. The primary objectives of this course are to explore how evolutionary genetics and epidemiology can converge to create a more focused approach to understanding the causal factors of diseases, and to apply those insights toward future healthcare, commonly promoted as precision medicine.