An Introduction to Evolutionary Genetics in Epidemiology and Precision Medicine

Evolutionary processes provide the foundation for understanding the origins and distribution of inherited variation among populations and species of all organisms. Demographic (Malthusian) factors, evolutionary (Darwinian) forces, genetic (Mendelian) principles, and ecological (environmental) factors either collectively or independently influence differential survival and reproduction rates among individuals of diverse populations of organisms, including humans. We call these Darwinian processes. In parallel, epidemiology and public health deal with the distribution and determinants of human diseases and mortality. They investigate the origin, distribution, management, and control of agents that cause both communicable and non-communicable diseases within and between populations among a wide range of species. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of how the foundational principles of evolutionary genetics and public health intersect to shape human health and longevity. Through an interdisciplinary approach, we explore the nexus of evolutionary genetics and public health, contextualizing our discussions within the broader spheres of comparative medicine and environmental factors, such as global warming. This approach illuminates the collective influence of Darwinian processes on the evolution, maintenance, and spread of diseases. The ultimate aim is to showcase how evolutionary genetics and epidemiology can converge to pave the way for a more focused approach to healthcare, often promoted as precision medicine.