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Review
. 2020 Mar;7(1):30-47.
doi: 10.1007/s40572-020-00265-6.

Synthetic Chemicals and Cardiometabolic Health Across the Life Course Among Vulnerable Populations: a Review of the Literature from 2018 to 2019

Symielle A Gaston  1 , Linda S Birnbaum  2 , Chandra L Jackson  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Synthetic Chemicals and Cardiometabolic Health Across the Life Course Among Vulnerable Populations: a Review of the Literature from 2018 to 2019

Symielle A Gaston et al. Curr Environ Health Rep. 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Although vulnerable populations are disproportionately exposed to synthetic chemicals with endocrine disrupting properties, few recent reviews have summarized the impact of synthetic chemicals on cardiometabolic health among these groups.

Recent findings: Of 37 eligible epidemiological studies among vulnerable populations published between January 2018 and April 2019 in which over half were prospective, the most investigated populations were pregnant women and children. Racial/ethnic minorities, individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES), and those occupationally exposed were studied the least. The most studied persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the most studied non-POPs were phenols. Across chemical classes, studies found certain POPs (e.g., PFAS) and non-POPs (i.e., phenols, phthalates, and parabens) to be associated with gestational diabetes and dysregulated glucose metabolism. Results for other cardiometabolic health outcomes were inconsistent but suggested certain chemicals may negatively affect cardiometabolic health. Synthetic chemicals likely adversely affect cardiometabolic health, but current findings were inconclusive. Few recent studies focused on racial/ethnic minorities, low SES, and occupationally exposed populations. To address poor cardiometabolic health and related disparities, more studies across vulnerable populations are warranted.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Endocrine disruptors; Metabolic diseases; Minority health; Pregnancy complications; Vulnerable populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: SA. Gaston, LS. Birnbaum, and CL. Jackson declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Socioecological Framework for Synthetic Chemical Exposure and Health among Vulnerable Populations
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