In the PAGE II Network, we aim to identify the genes that underlie the differences in disease burden between populations. At Mount Sinai, we use data from the BioMe™ Biobank and focus on cardiometabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and blood lipids, among others. We will use our diverse ancestry biobank to map biomedical traits and elucidate health disparities.

Ruth Loos, PhD, leads the multi-disciplinary investigative team that competed successfully for the Population Architecture Using the Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) II Network (U01HG007417). Our PAGE II team includes seven co-investigators from three departments with expertise in genetic epidemiology, population genetics, statistical genetics, informatics, and clinical medicine. This effort is organized and funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), a part of the National Institutes of Health.

Understanding the Genetic Makeup of a Population

Some diseases are more common or more severe in specific populations due to their ethnic or racial background. While lifestyle, cultural values, health care access, and socioeconomic status are undeniably important contributors to the disproportionate disease burden, the genetic make-up of a population contribute to differences in disease susceptibility between those of different race and ethnicity.

By understanding these genetic factors that contribute to a population’s disease susceptibility, health disparities can be reduced by tailoring prevention and personalizing treatment for specific subgroups.