Bridging Biology and Society: Molecular Insights into Social Determinants of Vascular Disease.

BACKGROUND

Vascular diseases (VDs)-such as arterial aneurysms, chronic venous disease, and peripheral artery disease-are influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, biological, and social factors. Integrating the assessment of both molecular and social determinants offers a novel framework that connects factors like socioeconomic status, chronic stress, and environmental exposures to the molecular pathways that drive vascular pathophysiology.

METHODS

This review was conducted searching libraries such as Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. The aim was to facilitate the analytical integration of studies that highlight the relationship between social determinants of health and VDs under a biomolecular lens.

RESULTS

This review explores how adverse social conditions can initiate inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetic modifications, and dysregulation of biomarkers such as matrix metalloproteinases, thereby contributing to vascular degeneration and dysfunction. These mechanisms demonstrate how social experiences become biologically embedded, increasing susceptibility to structural vascular changes and impaired circulation.

CONCLUSION

By bridging insights from molecular biology and social science, this approach provides a valuable paradigm for addressing health disparities and advancing prevention and treatment strategies for common VDs.