The Intersection of Race, Environment, and Cardiovascular Risk
For a long time, humans believed that genetic variants were the primary factors determining the risk of cardiovascular diseases. While this is partially true, current research reveals that environmental factors and socioeconomic status are the key determinants. These factors have been under investigation for decades, particularly among Black Americans and immigrant communities. Studies show that residential segregation, for instance, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in Black communities. Additional research highlights that discrimination in healthcare settings and lack of quality care contribute to stress and high blood pressure, further elevating cardiovascular risk. Thus, reducing this stress and improving healthcare policies for Black and immigrant communities is critical.
To address these issues, many researchers are working to integrate structural racism and social determinants with biology, aiming to understand how these factors affect cardiovascular health. This approach challenges the outdated notion that genetics alone dictates health outcomes.
Dr. Debora Kamin Mukaz, an assistant professor at the University of Vermont (UVM), is among these investigators. Her research focuses on the impact of structural racism, such as residential segregation, on cardiovascular health in Black communities. Her interest in this area is shaped by her personal background as a Black immigrant woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During her undergraduate studies, she became fascinated by the intersection of genetics and race, which led her to pursue interdisciplinary PhD research on acculturation and diabetes among African immigrants in the United States.
After completing her PhD, Dr. Mukaz joined the University of Vermont as a postdoctoral researcher, contributing to the REGARDS (REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study. This large, longitudinal cohort study examines the causes of excess stroke mortality in the Southeastern U.S. and among African Americans. Dr. Mukaz’s contributions focused on identifying biological "clues" called biomarkers and their association with hypertension risk in Black and white populations. Her findings revealed that Black individuals are at higher risk of hypertension. “My goal is to show that there are biological consequences of living in a racialized environment, not that race itself is biological,” Dr. Mukaz stated.
After completing her postdoctoral training, Dr. Mukaz began her faculty career at UVM, where she was selected as a research project leader for the Vermont Center for Cardiovascular and Brain Health. Her current research explores the impact of sexism and classism on cardiovascular health and inflammation. Early findings reveal that the effects of residential segregation differ significantly for Black women compared to other racial and gender groups. “The results show how systems of injustice become biologically embodied and actually increase disease risk,” Dr. Mukaz explained.
Engaging with the community is essential to Dr. Mukaz’s work. She emphasizes building trust with Black communities and maintaining transparent communication with participants in the REGARDS study. “The most important part of this work is being part of a community, having conversations where we share knowledge, and learning from the people we study,” she said.
Looking ahead, Dr. Mukaz plans to investigate how structural racism affects cardiovascular health and inflammation across generations and even across countries. She is also focused on translating her findings into policy changes. “By sharing our research, we make the case to undo some of the biological damage caused by systems of injustice,” Dr. Mukaz said.
Reshaping healthcare policies and dismantling the structural inequities that perpetuate health disparities isn’t just a matter of research—it’s a call to action. Dr. Mukaz’s work is paving the way for systemic change, proving that addressing the root causes of injustice can create a healthier, more equitable society.
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