Human Biology Association Annual Poster Session 2026

Human sociality is unparalleled among mammals and highly complex, including nested layers of interaction, support from kin and non-kin, and support within and across group boundaries. It is thus unsurprising that sociality is a key regulator of human health, with frameworks such as embodiment and social determinants of health underscoring how external social and cultural environments get “under the skin”. Operationalizing key features of social interaction that may impact health is still in its infancy; social network analysis offers a powerful means of inspecting how various features of social embeddedness may map onto health. Further, while human behavioral ecology has shown links between social networks and reproductive success, especially for females, there are few papers demonstrating objectively links between health and measures of social networks. This undergraduate-led project investigates key features of social networks to explore whether and how cooperative ties map onto health. It analyzes social network and health data that were collected in the summer of 2024 within a small village on Tanna, Vanuatu, where community has long been emphasized as a key feature among other relational concepts of human existence. Although the sample size is small and results not significant, we find expected trends between greater social support and lower risk of hypertension when looking at support across a range of cooperative domains. These results offer tentative support for the importance of social support to human health and well-being.

Lyeba Jadun <lyebaj5@gmail.com>

Rutgers University, Department of Anthropology

Global Birth Stories is an online anthropology archive purposefully aimed at amplifying the birth stories of the global majority. GBS seeks to move away from typical birth stories from affluent and Westernized settings. Instead, GBS focuses on the birth stories of (predominately) Black and Indigenous women with varying access to biomedical health care, such as rural areas where women birth at home by tradition, or sometimes because the nearest clinic is far away and might not have access to obstetric care. This Anthropology project examines how birth is experienced by different populations within the broader context of colonization, racism and capitalism, and globally widespread economic and health inequities. How is birth experienced by contemporary hunter-gathers like the Ba’Aka in the Central African Republic, or subsistence farmers in rural Mexico? GBS also examines how young mothers may birth differently than their mothers or grandmothers. How has medicalization (e.g., hospitals and cesarean deliveries) affected birth in the recently urbanized Argentine Toba and the Yucatec Maya? The utilization of social media appeals to the current realm of social outreach and information spread. Free, online publication of these stories, in multiple languages, will help expose fellow academics, obstetricians and other birth workers, and a broader public, to ways of birthing that they would rarely conceptualize. In conclusion, Global Birth Stories can transform ideas and narratives of birth, motherhood, and beyond.

Sophie Mbongo

1University of Illinois Chicago, United States of America; 2Purdue University, United States of America; 3University of Washington, United States of America

Emerging literature has reported an inconsistent impact of early-life metal exposure on neurodevelopment during adolescence. This study investigated the association between perinatal exposure to toxic (lead, arsenic) and essential (zinc) elements and neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed by using the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II) at 14 years of age, using data from a birth cohort in Chitwan, Nepal. We followed 100 mother-infant dyads recruited at birth and measured concentrations of Pb, As, and Zn in cord blood (n = 100) and urine (n = 74) at 14 years. Growth environment was characterized using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale and sociodemographic surveys. Metal exposure levels in this cohort were generally moderate, falling between background and high-risk populations across global studies. Multivariate regression models adjusting for sex, parental education, and income showed no significant associations between cord blood or urine concentrations of Pb, As, or Zn and adolescent WASI-II scores. Higher parental education and household income were positively associated with Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Reasoning, and Full-Scale scores. Our findings suggest that, in this population, perinatal levels of Pb, As, and Zn did not predict adolescent WASI-II scores, while postnatal growth environment did.

Rajendra P Parajuli, PhD

¹Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal; ²Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; ³Department of Human Ecology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Reliable access to clean water remains a major health and environmental challenge in the Galapagos Islands. Residents facing water insecurity cope with biologically contaminated water and the psychosocial stress of unreliable access. Using data from a mixed-methods pilot study conducted in July 2025 to assess perceived and measured water quality on San Cristobal Island, we explored the relationships between perceived and measured water quality and the patterns of coping behaviors and psychosocial stress. Participants from 21 households completed a survey and semi-structured interview about perceptions of water quality, household water use practices, coping behaviors, and water-related stress. Additionally, samples of tap and drinking water were collected and tested for Escherichia coli. Results show divergence between perceived and measured drinking water quality: 33% of households perceived their water as contaminated despite microbiologically safe results, while 24% perceived their water as clean despite E. coli contamination of any level. Perceived water quality was also related to both coping behavior and psychosocial stress: just over half (52%) of households reported coping strategies - such as prioritizing specific water tasks or seeking alternative water sources - regardless of actual contamination. Additionally, 38% of households reported stress or coping behavior despite safe water, while 19% experienced contaminated water but did not report stress or coping. Findings suggest that water insecurity in the Galápagos is not defined by microbial contamination alone. Psychosocial stress and coping behavior often emerge independently of measured contamination, highlighting the broader burdens of water insecurity.

Mira Gowda <mira.s.gowda@gmail.com>

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Anthropology

Ligia A. Filgueiras <ligiafilgueiras@yahoo.com.br>

Pará State University

Death is a human universal; however, the ways it is conceptualized and ritualized vary significantly across time, space, and culture. In anthropology, death has been conceptualized differently across the subdisciplines. Cultural anthropology tends to emphasize variation in cultural and religious perceptions, experiences, and meanings of death, while bio-archaeological anthropology has tended to focus on conditions impacting deposition and decomposition of human remains, related health implications, and what burials reveal about social organization. Of course, death reflects many axes of human experience and social organization and is usefully theorized using a multi-sub-disciplinary lens. We utilize qualitative interviews addressing perceptions of health, ecology, death, dying, and community in Tanna, Vanuatu, where religious, infrastructural, and ecological change offer opportunities to explore how variation in religious and ecological environments impacts mortuary practices. We supplement these findings with community-wide quantitative data about religious affiliation, perceptions of death and community, funeral attendance, and GPS burial data. Analysis reveals i) community and religion are central features of the ni-Vanuatu deathscape, fostering high levels of cohesion surrounding death; ii) materials and symbols associated with death are grounded in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK); and iii) cultural and ecological understandings of health, dying, and death have been impacted by ongoing market transition. Results highlight the importance of interdisciplinary studies of death, as globalization continues to drive rapid change in social, economic, and physical landscapes across the world.

Baca, Patrick Cameron

University of New Mexico, Independent Scholar, Rutgers University

Globalization and economic shifts are transforming food systems across Africa, altering diets, ingredients, and family eating patterns. In Rwanda, grandmothers continue to play a central role in sustaining and transmitting traditional food knowledge. The aim of this pilot project is to explore how Rwandan grandmother’s understand nutrition, their role in transmitting traditional food knowledge, and perceived dietary quality of typical meals. Ethnographic fieldwork (March 2024) with 20 Rwandan grandmothers, aged 55-89, included qualitative interviews, focal-follow observations, free listing, and a cooking-based focus group. Data were analyzed using iterative, inductive coding supplemented by Smith’s S index for salience of traditional foods and FAO African food tables for nutrient estimates. Participants defined a good meal as combining three elements – body building foods (proteins, beans, meat, fish), protective foods (vegetables, greens, fruit), and energy- giving foods (cassava, sweet potatoes, bananas, sorghum). Beans are at the core of a traditional Rwandese diet, often cooked in a single pot with leafy greens and a starch. While meat was valued for celebrations, most daily meals were plant based, averaging 275 kcal, with 15 g protein, per 250 g serving. Grandmother’s cultural model of balanced eating aligns with nutritional science, highlighting the potential of grandmothers as a community educators and agents of adaptation during Rwanda’s ongoing nutrition transition.

Ice, Gillian

Ohio University and University of Rwanda

Managing type 1 diabetes (T1D) requires sustained cognitive and emotional work, yet little is known about how variations in executive function shape the integration of diabetes into one’s sense of self. Diabetes identity integration, the process of weaving diabetes into a livable personal identity, is essential for long-term self-management, psychosocial adjustment, and overall well-being. Using survey and clinical data from adolescents and emerging adults with T1D (ages 15-35), this study examines relationships between executive function challenges, glycemic outcomes, and diabetes identity integration within structural context. Executive function was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2 for adolescents and BRIEF-2A for adults). Diabetes identity integration was assessed using the Accepting Diabetes and Personal Treatment (ADAPT) Survey. Fully adjusted linear regression models accounted for age, sex, diabetes duration, hybrid closed-loop technology use, race, and poverty status. Results indicate that clinically elevated executive function challenges were significantly associated with lower diabetes identity integration, independent of all covariates. Lower diabetes identity integration was also associated with higher HbA1c and lower continuous glucose monitor time in range (TIR), and these patterns were more pronounced among individuals with elevated executive function challenges. Moreover, diabetes identity integration challenges did not occur in isolation. Executive function difficulties combined with economic disadvantage created compounded barriers to sustaining diabetes care. By examining the interplay between cognitive function, glycemic outcomes, and structural conditions, this research takes a behavioral and biocultural approach to understanding T1D self-management. These findings underscore the need for T1D care models that recognize cognitive diversity, integrate identity-based assessment, and move beyond telling patients to simply “try harder.”

Sanders, Trinity <sandtrin@unc.edu>

(1) Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, (2) School of Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, (3) Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, (4) Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

South Asians experience disproportionately higher risk for cardiometabolic disease (i.e. heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc.), at a younger age and lower BMI than US whites1 Acculturation: adapting values, norms, behaviors, and beliefs Impacts long-term health in immigrants through social support, diet, physical activity, resource access, etc.2 Women with an assimilation or integration acculturation strategy, have been shown to have less CMD risk than those with a strong South Asian orientation3,4

Aim 1: Use latent profile analysis to identify patterns of cardiometabolic disease risk in South Asians, by sex

Aim 2: Investigate how acculturation strategy is associated with cardiometabolic disease risk, potentially mediated by physical activity

Saravanan, Preethi

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dietary composition is a risk factor for most chronic diseases; and fruit and vegetable consumption is a cornerstone of health-promoting diets. Methods for measuring dietary intake during daily life are subject to significant error due to poor recall, biased recall, and subject reactivity depending on the method used. Obtaining valid measures of fruit and vegetable consumption among children is especially challenging. We report here on use of the Veggie Meter, a portable, non-invasive, reflectance spectroscopy instrument that detects and scores skin carotenoid content, with third graders in Appleton, WI. 147 children from 4 different elementary schools were assessed during a field trip to a children’s museum and again 25-49 days later at their school. One educational emphasis during the field trip was the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption for maintaining health, in alignment with their third-grade health curriculum. Results (overall mean score 218, s.d. 99.4) are comparable to published results from similar communities. Variation between the first and second measurement for each participant was substantial (s.d of the difference: 87.0), with no significant change overall (mean difference: -11.7, 95% c.i. -25.89-2.47). There were no significant changes in scores by school from the first to the second measurement and no significant differences between schools. The Veggie Meter is an accessible tool for human biologists to assess fruit and vegetable intake. Additional research to assess reliability of individual measurements is indicated if a goal is to use change in Veggie Meter scores over time as an indicator of dietary flux.

Jenike, Mark

Lawrence University, Department of Anthropology

Sustaining community-informed research requires careful attention to the experiences and priorities of the communities involved. In this interactive presentation, we sought to understand how Igbo women in Minnesota identify, define, and hypothesize notions of stress and inflammation while also gauging interest in future biocultural work on these topics. We piloted a survey with Igbo women in Minnesota to assess perceptions of stress, inflammation, and community health priorities. The survey included ranked stressors (social, financial, personal, psychological, acculturative, environmental, daily), multiple choice questions on perceived short- and long-term effects of stress and inflammation, and open-ended questions about the meaning and causes of “wahala.” Descriptive statistics summarized frequencies and distributions of categorical responses, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Across participants (N = 18), financial (50%) and daily stress (56%) were identified as most impactful, while acculturative stress was least emphasized; other stressors fell in the mid-range. Most respondents believed stress can cause illness both short-term (72%) and long-term (72%). Most participants agreed inflammation can cause short-term illness (83%), and a majority (72%) endorsed long-term effects. Participants expressed strong beliefs about the health consequences of stress and inflammation, with most interested in future studies. Open-ended responses defined “wahala” as stress, troubles, or problems, commonly linked to finances, family obligations, and health challenges. Interactive presentations serve as an effective first step in community-informed research by revealing nuanced perspectives. They can also be used to provide valuable feedback that can refine research questions, approaches, and guide the overall implementation of future biocultural work.

Ellen Jo

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Wagoner, Isabelle

Indiana University, Department of Anthropology, Indiana University, Human Biology Program, Indiana University, Irsay Institute for Sociomedical Sciences Research, Indiana University, Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction

The transmission of tick-borne Rickettsia pathogens is a complex phenomenon driven by the synergy of arthropod vectors, environmental conditions, and socio-economic factors. Yucatan is an endemic region with diverse Rickettsia species, and its presence has been associated with individual characteristics such as age and sex, as well as environmental factors. However, structural determinants and ecological factors have not been adequately quantified in a representative sample. Our objective was to analyze the association between the seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. and both social and environmental factors across regions of Yucatan. We conducted a cross-sectional and ecological study that included a representative sample of 390 participants distributed across three distinct areas of Yucatan. Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay was performed to determine seropositivity to Rickettsia spp. We used a Poisson regression model to assess the association between seroprevalence and social factors (percentage of poverty, educational lag, and lack of access to health insurance) and ecological factors (maximum temperature, rainfall, land use, and population density). We identified an overall seroprevalence of Rickettsia spp. of 31.28% (122/390). The regression analysis demonstrated that maximum temperature, educational lag, and a high marginalization index were associated with an increased risk of seropositivity. Conversely, higher population density was associated with a decrease in seroprevalence. Our findings demonstrate that structural social factors and ecological variables are significantly associated with Rickettsia seroprevalence. These results underscore the critical need for public health interventions focused on addressing the upstream determinants of health to effectively reduce the burden of rickettsial diseases in marginalized and high-risk populations.

Villarreal-Jimenez, Edgar

1. Health Sciences School, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan. Merida, Yucatan; 2. Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases Laboratory, Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Merida, Yucatan; 3. Research, Hospital Regional de Alta Especilicalidad de la Peninsula de Yucatan IMSS-Bienestar, Merida, Yucatan.

Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, have recently emerged as the leading cause of mortality in Ecuador. Previous research from the Galapagos Islands identified lack of access to affordable foods, medications, and care as barriers to diabetes self-management.

We conducted a mixed-methods pilot study with individuals diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes (n=25) living on San Cristobal Island in July 2025 to explore barriers to effective self-management and assess how access to water, food, medication, and healthcare, as well as, social support networks impact health outcomes and the emotional burden of living with diabetes. The survey included sociodemographic, water and food security, healthcare access, and health history questions. Additionally, a semi-structured interview on challenges of living with diabetes was conducted. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analyses of interviews to characterize lived experiences of those with diabetes.

Most participants reported a single basic Ecuadorian household salary or below (68%), water insecurity (80%), and food insecurity (56%). The mean HbA1c value in participants was 8.18%. 60% had at least one family member diagnosed with or at risk of diabetes. 64% were taking diabetes medication. 72% of participants received diabetes care in Galapagos, where there is no medical diabetes specialist. Of those, 22% also received care from mainland Ecuador. Thematic analysis suggests that access to food, medication and care remain significant concerns. Our findings indicate that living with diabetes poses a significant emotional burden, and many individuals expressed a strong interest in connecting with others who live with diabetes.

Cao, Yiqing

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Brazil before and after the Hunger Map: Current considerations on food policies in the Pará Amazon Silva, Ariana K Leandra S da Silva1,2, Filgueiras, Ligia Amaral2,3 1: Education Secretary of the State of Pará, Brazil (SEDUC-PA) 2: Bioanthropology Research Group - Pará State University (GEB-UEPA); 3: Pará State University, Natural Science Department, Center for Social Sciences and Education, Belém-PA, Brazil (UEPA-CCSE);

The Brazilian Food and Nutritional Security (FNS) landscape, which has “The Geography of Hunger” as its fundamental theoretical framework, identifies the food situation in territories from north to south of the country, stratifying hunger and malnutrition in Brazil, a reality that continued into the first decade of the 21st century. The COVID-19 syndemicc was a health crisis and economic catastrophe that exacerbated the issue of food shortages with the abrupt widening of social inequalities, particularly in the State of Pará, Amazon region. Food insecurity between 2019 and 2022 worsened due to disastrous policies before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, when about one million people in the Amazon had the Bolsa Família Program as their only source of monthly income, characterizing the poverty rate and people in situations of hunger, with occupations without fixed income in the informal market. Qualitative health methodology was used with statistics, articles, books, and exhibitions of historical collections, public health activities, and continuing education in an interdisciplinary manner. Between 2019 and 2025, we analyzed primary and secondary data, focusing on the health of urban, rural, quilombola, and riverine populations to share the research conducted in the state of Pará. The results showed these elements contribute to alarming Social Determinants of Health (SDH), with food and nutritional insecurity among riverine, fishing, rural, indigenous and quilombola populations as a whole at levels never before recorded, which corroborates the current reconfiguration and massive investiment o social assistance programs aimed at the most vulnerable.

Key-Words: Vulnerability, Amazon, Poverty, Nutrition, Brazil

Filgueiras, Ligia Amaral <ligiafilgueiras@gmail.com>

Pará State University

Low quality diets – characterized by limited consumption of vegetables, whole grains, fruit, and high intake of saturated fatty acids – have been associated with increased chronic inflammation in healthy adults. However, this relationship remains understudied in low-resource populations within high-income countries. Understanding this association is particularly important as low-resource communities often experience limited access to nutritious foods and are commonly exposed to environmental and socioeconomic stressors such as food deserts that increase inflammation. This study examines the relationship between dietary quality and intestinal inflammation among adults living in low-resource communities in Southwestern Illinois and the Mississippi Delta. Surveys and stool samples were collected from 103 participants (n = 63 in Illinois; n = 40 in Mississippi). Dietary quality was assessed using a modified Mediterranean Eating Patterns for Americans (MEPA) questionnaire which included 13 items on consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and red meat. Each item was scored 0–1 based on adherence to MEPA and summed for a total score (0–13) representing overall diet quality. Intestinal inflammation was measured using fecal calprotectin (FC) levels determined by ELISA. Linear regression analyses controlling for community, age, sex, and income suggested no statistically significant association between dietary quality and log-transformed FC (logFC) (p = 0.085), though higher diet scores tended to correspond with slightly lower inflammation. Notably, higher logFC was predicted by greater age (p = 0.029), and lower logFC was predicted by higher income (p = 0.012). Future analyses will assess dietary quality in relation to biomarkers of systemic inflammation.

Kim, Doyoon

1: Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; 2: Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; 3: Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; 4: Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, MO; 5: Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO

Knowledge of childhood appetite regulation (AR) largely stems from post-industrial populations, with limited research from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and among subsistence populations inhabiting low resource environments. Leptin, a key hormonal biomarker of AR and energy status, signals energy reserves to the brain and down-regulates food intake. While circulating leptin levels are strongly correlated with adiposity in industrialized populations, the few existing studies (among adults) in LMICs suggest that this relationship may not be universal. This study contributes to this important area in AR research. Using an ELISA protocol validated for finger-prick dried blood spots (DBS), we measured leptin among Indigenous Shuar children from rural and peri-urban communities in Amazonian Ecuador (n = 90, aged 3-13 years). Children’s BMI-for-age z-scores (mean = 0.44 ± 1.0) were modest based on WHO standards, indicating a generally lean study population. Leptin levels (serum-equivalent mean = 2.1 ± 2.75 ng/mL) were considerably lower than those of U.S. reference children (mean = 15.6 ng/mL). However, as predicted, adiposity assessed via both skinfolds (p = 0.07) and bioimpedance analysis (p = 0.32) was not a significant predictor of children’s leptin levels in linear regression models controlling for age and sex. These findings support the hypothesis that children’s leptin is driven by factors beyond adiposity in low-resource contexts, suggesting additional roles for leptin in managing food intake and energy homeostasis when facing limited energy availability. We discuss these and other findings among the Shuar as they relate to improved understanding of global variation in children’s AR.

Lucero, My Linh <mylinh_lucero1@baylor.edu>

1: Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; 2: Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; 3: Independent Researcher; 4: Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon; 5: Department of Anthropology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona; 6: Department of Anthropology, Queens College (CUNY), Queens, New York; 7: Global Station for Indigenous Studies & Cultural Diversity, Hokkaido University, Japan

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second most common neoplasm in men worldwide and one of the main causes of male mortality. In Mexico, cultural stigmas, limited awareness, and uneven healthcare access shape men’s engagement with preventive practices. This study explores perceptions and knowledge about PCa prevention among men over 40 years old in the Yucatán Peninsula, integrating behavioral and sociocultural dimensions of male health. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Regional High-Specialty Hospital of the Yucatán Peninsula (IMSS-Bienestar). After pilot testing, a validated questionnaire was administered through structured interviews. Quantitative variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics to identify dominant patterns of knowledge, beliefs, and self-perceived vulnerability related to PCa. Results: Eighty-six men aged 40–85 years (mean age 58) participated. Most (65%) had education below the high-school level. Only 39.5% recognized PCa as a malignant disease, 5.8% knew its population frequency, and over 60% were unaware of screening methods. Merely 16.3% perceived themselves at high risk of developing PCa. Conclusions: Findings reveal a marked gap between biomedical knowledge and local understandings of male health. Limited risk perception and low awareness reflect the intersection of cultural attitudes, educational inequalities, and restricted health communication. Addressing PCa prevention thus requires culturally sensitive, community-based approaches that integrate biological risk awareness with broader social determinants of health.

Rochel-Perez, Erick Antonio

1Department of Urology, Regional High Specialty Hospital of the Yucatan Peninsula - IMSS BIENESTAR, Merida, Yucatan; 2Department of Research, Regional High Specialty Hospital of the Yucatan Peninsula - IMSS BIENESTAR, Merida, Yucatan

Recent work has linked the Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) in the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor gene (BDNF) to variation in brain function and health. Specifically, the Met allele has been correlated with reduced activity-dependent secretion of the BDNF protein, affecting cognition, brain structure, and psychiatric health. However, some studies have suggested that this variant may have conferred biological advantages in past environments, raising the possibility that genetic variation at rs6265 could have been a target of natural selection. To test this hypothesis, we examined publicly available sequence data from the Human Genome Diversity Project and the 1000 Genomes Project for evidence of selection using several statistical methods, including the integrated haplotype score (iHS), extended haplotype homozygosity (EHH), number of segregating sites by length (nSL), and Conditional Likelihood Under Evolutionary Scenarios (CLUES2). Our results revealed signatures of positive selection in the form of long-range EHH around the derived Met allele at rs6265 in globally diverse populations. Furthermore, selection coefficient (s) estimates indicated significant selective pressure at genetic variation in BDNF (including rs6265) consistent with a classic selective sweep model. Additionally, we observed the highest s estimate at rs6265 in South Asia (s = 0.0975, [95% CI: 0.03076-0.16422]; -log10(p) = 3.21) comparable to estimates for alleles associated with lactase persistence in pastoralist populations, (among the strongest known cases of positive selection in humans). Collectively, these findings shed light on the evolutionary dynamics of functionally important variation in BDNF and highlight the possible interplay between adaptation and disease susceptibility in modern populations.

Nanda, Anamika

1Department of Biological Sciences (Human and Evolutionary Biology Section), University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; 2Department of Anthropology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are some of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. The University of Oregon is located in Lane County which continues to have the highest reported numbers of syphilis cases in Oregon. Young adults account for roughly half of the positive STI test results in the US. Considering the typical age of university attendance in the US is 18-22, students are particularly at risk of contracting STIs. Beginning in 2018, University of Oregon Health Services (UHS) has implemented sexual wellbeing programs such as Protection Connection, a free sexual barrier program, to decrease STI rates on campus. It is hypothesized that the University of Oregon’s implementation of sexual wellbeing programs increased the number of students getting tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Regression analyses were performed using HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis tests between 2018 and 2024 submitted to the University Health Services. Due to testing practices, chlamydia and gonorrhea test results are considered one test. A significant increase in syphilis tests taken at the University of Oregon was found (t=3.47, P=0.013). Results indicate that there was no significant increase in the number of HIV tests taken (t=0.68, P=0.522). There was no increase in the chlamydia/gonorrhea tests taken (t=-0.43, P=0.685). While syphilis testing has increased since 2018, possibly due to UHS efforts, more programs must be focused on increasing testing for HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

Potter, Eleanor

University of Oregon, Department of Anthropology

Human wellbeing depends greatly on the resources available to face disease and on how health is experienced and lived. Coping with illness requires access to social, economic, and health resources. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is among the most well-known chronic diseases whose outcomes and severity are largely determined by socioeconomic constraints worldwide. Evidence from Mexico suggests an increasing burden of DM, strongly linked to marginalization and social inequities. Under the hypothesis that DM diagnosis may influence life expectancy and mortality in young populations, we aimed to describe the trends of hospitalizations and in-hospital deaths due to diabetes in Mexico. For this purpose, we analyzed data from the Ministry of Health (SS/DGIS) and the National Health Information System (SINAIS) for the 2021–2025 period, using ICD-10 codes E10–E14.7 and the Gini coefficient as a measure of economic inequality. A total of 7,379 first-time hospital admissions of individuals under 18 years of age were included, with an overall mortality rate of 9.6 deaths per 1,000 discharges. The mean age was 12 years, and 57% were female. Guanajuato reported the highest number of cases of type 1 and malnutrition-related diabetes, while the State of Mexico recorded the highest number of deaths and the greatest frequency of type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Notably, Guanajuato ranks as the second state with the lowest economic inequality, whereas the State of Mexico ranks seventh among those with the highest inequality. These findings suggest a potential link between social inequity and diabetes outcomes among this population.

Perez Navarrete, Adrian <prz.adrian@gmail.com>

Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de la Peninsula de Yucatan IMSS-Bienestar, Merida, Yucatan

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and is associated with higher levels of total cholesterol while lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are generally linked with reduced CVD risk. Physical activity (PA) is thought to be positively associated with HDL-C and inversely related to total cholesterol. We proposed that within a low-resource community with limited access to spaces for recreation and fitness, PA would be significantly associated with cholesterol levels. Survey data and finger-prick blood samples were collected from adults (n=86, ages 20-92) in Southwestern Illinois as part of the Rural Embodiment and Community Health (REACH) Study. The amount of moderate to vigorous PA performed in a typical week was reported by participants while lipid biomarker levels were measured using a CardioChek Plus analyzer. Logistic regression models tested associations between self-reported PA and healthy levels of total cholesterol or HDL-C (as defined by the CDC), controlling for age, sex, race, income, and cholesterol medication usage. No significant association was found between PA and total cholesterol or HDL-C. Greater odds of healthy total cholesterol levels were predicted by younger age (p=.049) and cholesterol medication usage (p=.007) Higher BMI was associated with lower odds of healthy HDL-C levels (p =.029). It is possible that self-reported PA data may not be reliable for predicting cholesterol levels. Future analyses will assess more objective measures of activity (i.e., accelerometry data) and additional biomarkers linked with CVD (i.e. C-reactive protein).

Cannon, Regan

1Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 2Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, MO 3Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 4Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 5Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO 6St. Louis University School of Medicine– St. Louis, MO

Childhood physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits. However, living in lower-resource areas within high-income countries is associated with reduced access to safe outdoor space, formal sports, and active commuting opportunities, potentially reducing childhood PA. This exploratory, mixed-methods pilot study assessed how perceived environmental factors relate to PA among children ages 5-12 years (n = 17) living in a low-resource community in Southwestern Illinois. Children completed questionnaires, narrative drawing interviews, and a week of accelerometer wear (Axivity AX3); parents completed questionnaires. Initial regression models showed a trend towards negative correlation between parent-reported Neighborhood Environment Index (NEI, higher scores indicate a more positive perception of neighborhood attributes) and child-reported activity frequency (p = 0.06). Among children with valid accelerometry data (n = 12), average acceleration (a measure of activity volume), was negatively associated with parental NEI (p = 0.01), equating to a 4.4-hour difference in daily walking time between the most and least active participants. Contrary to published literature, these results suggest that more active children tended to have parents who perceived more adverse neighborhood environments. In narrative drawing interviews children discussed playing with friends and siblings, being in nature, playing sports, and playground equipment as supportive of play, while outdoor pests, stray animals, and inclement weather were common barriers. These preliminary data suggest children and parents have different perceptions of their environment and factors supporting childhood PA. Future research on childhood PA promotion should include children’s views on environmental factors which facilitate versus inhibit activity.

Nemeth, Katherine <k.l.nemeth@wustl.edu>

1Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 2Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 3Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 4Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO 5Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, MO

This research offers a bioanthropological reflection on how young adults in Brazil construct their body image and identity through digital aesthetic norms. In the current context, marked by the strong presence of social networks such as TikTok, Instagram, etc..., the bodies of young adults have become a veritable space for performance and control. Influenced by often demanding digital aesthetic standards, they seek to conform to visual ideals, sometimes resorting to cosmetic surgery, or the use of digital filters. Adopting a bioanthropological approach, which combines biological and cultural dimensions, together with a netnographic methodology, the analysis explores how these social networks shape aesthetic norms and influence body representations: young adults, confronted with retouched images and idealized content, often feel pressure to reconstruct their bodies, leading them to undergo surgical procedures, such as body reduction surgery or breast augmentation. Preliminary observations show that this continuous exposure to idealized beauty standards contributes to a redefinition of body identity, exacerbating insecurities and social comparisons. Faced with these challenges, young people develop coping mechanisms, such as involvement in movements of body positivity, that promote self-acceptance despite the aesthetic pressures. Through a literature review ad critical analysis of data, this Flash Talk aims to provide an understanding of contemporary issues related to body imagem. By integrating historical and cultural perspectives, this research highlights the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding modern challenges related to body perception and identity, while also shedding light on the sociocultural implications for the psychological well-being of young adults in the digital age.

Franckel Moreau

Universidade Federal do Pará, BR

Background: Adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) face an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS), and recent studies suggest that both conditions may contribute to accelerated aging of the brain. PTSD and MetS are both associated with neurodegeneration and accelerated brain aging, such as reductions in cortical thinning and brain volume reductions. Childhood trauma (CT) may exacerbate the effects of PTSD diagnosis and MetS on accelerated brain aging. The combined role of adult PTSD and MetS on brain aging as well as the influence of childhood trauma on this pathway, however, have not been tested. We examined the putative moderating effect of CT on the associations of PTSD diagnosis and MetS as well as their interactions with brain aging in South African adults.

Methods: A total of 97 PTSD cases and 87 trauma-exposed controls participated in a cross-sectional study, which captured demographic and phenotypic (medical and psychiatric) data. Brain age predictions were generated from T1-weighted magnetic resonance image scans using a pre-trained machine learning pipeline (brainageR). A measure of relative brain aging known as “predicted age difference” (PAD) was calculated by subtracting chronological age from the predicted brain age. Multiple regression models examine the effect of CT as a moderator of PTSD diagnosis and MetS effects on brain aging.

Results: In fully adjusted models, PTSD severity, MetS scores, their interaction were not associated with PAD. After disaggregating the MetS features, regression models showed that higher waist circumference was associated with higher PAD (b = 0.12, p = 0.002, 95% CI [0.04, 0.2]) and CAPS-5 scores were associated with lower PAD (b = -0.079, p = 0.003, 95% CI [-0.13, -0.026]). Moderation analyses found that MetS scores were associated with higher PAD in adults with lower exposure to childhood trauma (b = -0.031, p = 0.031, 95% CI [-0.06, -0.003]). Adults with lower triglyceride levels exhibited stronger, direct associations between childhood trauma and brain age difference scores (b = -0.11, p = 0.003, 95% CI [-0.2, -0.04]).

Conclusions: In this study of accelerated brain aging in South African adults, PTSD, MetS, and their interaction were not directly associated with predicted age difference. Higher waist circumference, a feature of MetS and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, may contribute to accelerated brain aging in this sample. Future research should elucidate the possible mechanisms of accelerated brain aging and the protective factors that may slow its progression.

Kim, Andrew Wooyoung

University of California, Berkeley

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of tumourigenesis, and elevated circulating inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., IL-6 and TNF-α) indicate poor prognosis. Psychological stress promotes chronic inflammation and tumour progression. Mind-body therapies (MBTs) such as yoga, Qigong, Tai Chi and meditation may reduce stress and modulate inflammatory effects. However, few systematic reviews have examined the effects of MBTs on inflammatory biomarkers as a primary outcome. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of MBTs on circulating inflammatory biomarker levels in cancer patients and survivors. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published up to April 2025 were identified through comprehensive database searches. Eligible studies reported biomarker outcomes in cancer patients and survivors who engaged with MBTs. 608 studies were screened, and 13 RCTs were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for biomarkers reported in three or more studies (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and cortisol). Results revealed a statistically significant increase in IL-10 levels in MBT participants compared to controls (effect size: d = 0.567; 95% CI: 0.118–1.017; p = 0.013; heterogeneity: I² = 66%), with yoga studies showing the largest effects. No significant overall effects were observed for IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and cortisol. However, the MBT subgroup analysis revealed some consistent trends. Heterogeneity was high (I²>66%) for all biomarkers, likely due to small sample sizes and varied intervention protocols. Overall, MBTs were associated with increased IL-10 levels, but larger, more diverse RCTs are warranted to elucidate the long-term effects of MBTs on inflammation in cancer populations.

Dr Ines Varela-Silva <r.l.marlow@hotmail.co.uk>

School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK

Kassandra Schleper

University of California, Los Angeles

Kunkle, Amanda E

(1) Department of Anthropology, University of Washington; (2) Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology, University of Washington; (3) Department of Biology, University of Washington

Background Despite evidence linking urban environments to adverse birth outcomes, fetal death remains insufficiently studied within biocultural perspective. Objectives To describe geographic patterns of fetal mortality in Mexico and evaluate the association between state-level fetal death rates and sociodemographic indicators reflective of urban environments. Methods An exploratory and population-based study that analyzes all cases (116, 250 cases) of fetal deaths in Mexico recorded between 2020 and 2024. Maternal sociodemographic and pregnancy variables were used for descriptive purposes. Total (TFDR), early (EFDR) and late (LFDR) fetal death rates were expressed as the number of fetal deaths per 1000 total births. Simple and multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association between state-level rate of fetal deaths and the percentage of urban population, population density, income inequality and crime rate. Results The national TFDR was 12.96 cases per 1,000 births. The highest rates were concentrated in the center of the country (Mexico City: 24.98 and the State of Mexico: 20), while the lowest rates were recorded in the south (Oaxaca: 6.24 and Guerrero: 6.70). The simple regressions showed that the percentage of urban population, population density, and crime incidence rate were positively associated with state TFDR and EFDR; the multiple showed that percentage of urban population was significantly associated with these outcomes. Crime rate was associated with LFDR in simple and multiple analyses. Conclusion Recorded fetal death in Mexico show marked geographic heterogeneity patterned by urban sociodemographic factors that reflect structural stressors and ecological pressures inherent to modern metropolitan life.

Azcorra Pérez, Hugo Santiago

1: Centro de Investigaciones Silvio Zavala, Universidad Modelo Mérida, Yucatán, México 2: Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de la Península de Yucatán, IMSS-BIENESTAR, Mérida, Yucatán, México

Understanding the prioritization of health issues among the Hadzabe foragers provides insight into the community’s disease burden. In this exploratory study, we surveyed 91 adults (mean age = 39, 46% female) from six bush camps about sickness, including questions about “major” and “minor” health problems in the community. Overall, 51.8% of participants identified communicable diseases as a major community concern. HIV/AIDS was frequently mentioned (35.2%), followed by gonorrhea (16.8%). Gonorrhea was primarily reported among male participants (24.4%) compared to female participants (7.1%). 21.9% of respondents identified non-communicable diseases as a major issue. Cardiovascular conditions were the predominantly reported major health issue (8.03%). 39.2% of participants reported no major illness/did not provide an answer. A majority (72.5%) identified communicable diseases as a minor issue. Among these, malaria was the most reported illness (52.7%), followed by stomach-related problems (25.5%). Over half of the participants (62.6%) reported non-communicable illnesses as a minor issue; the most prevalent problem was respiratory conditions (43.9%), such as non-specific cough and chest tightness, followed by headaches (40.7%), a common symptom of malaria that may also be caused by heat and environmental factors. The findings suggest that Hadzabe interpretations of illnesses as major or minor health issues are influenced by the prevalence of diseases (e.g., malaria endemicity) and local views. Understanding these classifications aligns health efforts with community priorities and enables tracking of changing prioritization in the face of market integration. Future studies can determine whether these classifications affect the Hadzabe's patterns of healthcare-seeking behaviors.

Shiju, Shilpa

1 Department of Biology, Florida State University; 2 Department of Anthropology, Florida State University; 3 Native American and Indigenous Studies Center, Florida State University; 4 School of Public Health, University of Nevada at Las Vegas; 5 Department of Archaeology and Heritage, Institute of Resource Assessment, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6 Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada at Las Vegas

People experiencing houselessness (PEH) in the United States often face difficulty accessing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources. Despite being a global health priority and an integral component of social determinants of health (SDOH), WASH is rarely examined in high-income countries like the United States. Pilot data were collected in Summer 2025 on WASH and intestinal health as part of a mixed methods study in Oregon. Minimally invasive biomarkers, focus group discussions, and a brief survey were conducted among 38 PEH adults aged 21-67 years. According to participant self-report, 73% had used the bathroom outside in the previous month, 34% reported that outdoors is their primary bathroom location, 63% were able to access a shower for bathing once per week or less, 26% relied on service providers as their primary source of water, and 45% had utilized a river or lake for bathing within the prior month. These findings highlight a critical gap in WASH access for the study participants. For PEH, SDOH play an outsized role in the ability to live, and service providers play an important role in addressing these crises experienced by PEH. This preliminary study demonstrates an urgent need for immediate and targeted interventions to provide safe WASH facilities for PEH in the United States.

Burr, Hope

University of Oregon

The menopausal transition is recognized as a significant determinant of long-term health during the postreproductive period. However, while ovarian and chronological aging may progress in parallel, they are distinct processes. Years since natural menopause (YSM) reflects reproductive aging that may influence cardiometabolic health and cognitive function in ways not captured by age alone. The association between postmenopausal aging and multi-domain health outcomes remains understudied in South Africa where expansion of healthcare and societal infrastructure has contributed to increased life expectancy and, consequently, prevalence of age-related conditions. This study examines the association between YSM (<10, 10–20, 20+ years) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk and cognitive function, respectively, among a cohort of postmenopausal adults (N = 878) in a rural South African setting. Adjusting for age, assets, nativity, parity, and social engagement, individuals more than 20 YSM exhibited a trend toward greater odds of MetS (Ref: <10 YSM; OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 0.96, 2.93); however, social engagement provided a significant protective effect (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80, 0.98). Additionally, in the adjusted model, those more than 20 YSM displayed significantly lower cognitive performance as captured by a standardized latent variable (Ref: <10 YSM; b = -0.28, 95% CI: -0.51, -0.05). These findings suggest that the physiological changes accompanying the menopausal transition may continue to influence health decades later, particularly cognitive domains. These findings may help inform risk assessment and implementation of timely interventions to bolster cardiometabolic and cognitive health among postmenopausal individuals in the Global South.

Geisel-Zamora, Suzanna

[1] Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, CA; [2]Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE²RO), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; [3] SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Water insecurity is increasingly recognized as an important factor influencing child growth outcomes in low-resource settings. Problematically, the pathways underlying this relationship are not clear. One potential key variable is children’s gut health. Here, we present data from novel Hydrogen breath tests (HBT) performed among Maasai children living in rural Kenya. Prior research demonstrates that water insecurity and growth faltering are pervasive in the area. The GBT was performed with 103 children (ages 4-12 years) using a Gastro+ handheld breath hydrogen analyzer. Fasted children provided baseline hydrogen measures, drank a 2g/kg body mass glucose dose, and provided additional hydrogen measures every 15 minutes for 90 minutes. Impaired gut function indicating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate malabsorption was identified using established criteria (e.g., hydrogen rise of >12 ppm). Results show that 31% of children met criteria for impaired gut function. Regression models controlling for age and sex were used to investigate relationships with HBT measures. Household water insecurity assessed via HWISE did not significantly increase children’s likelihood of impaired gut function (p = 0.138). However, several related measures did, including if household members did not treat drinking water (p = 0.021) or did not regularly wash hands before eating (p = 0.005). Indicating a link to growth faltering, children with impaired gut function measures were more likely to be underweight (p = 0.048). These findings demonstrate the utility of HBT measures in human biology research and support continued investigation of the role of gut health in the water insecurity-growth relationship.

Shani, Anna Shinina

Baylor University

Quinn, E.A.

Washington University in St. Louis

Cities are heterogeneous environments, linked to the uneven distribution and development of infrastructure and public services. Irregular urbanization enhances and produces different health risks, including uneven exposure to disease. We build on human biology’s long history of exploring community-level variables that contribute to health by exploring city geography and its relationship to child health status using geographical information systems (GIS) for home locations for 102 Peruvian children. Specifically, we investigated slope and its association with a variety of household-level variables and child health measures by analyzing spatial trends of slope across all locations. Kernel Density analysis was used to find potential areas where certain variables were concentrated while Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation was used to visualize the general trend of variables across all locations. Analyses suggest that slope is not correlated with anemia status, height-for-age or weight-for-age z-scores, or the presence of respiratory and diarrheal disease symptoms. However, c-reactive protein (CRP) level and the amount of money spent on food (both weekly and when eating outside the home) increased with steeper slope (all r:>0.40). Generally, as slope increased the probability of poor-quality house materials increased (r:0.11) and patterns also suggest that child BMI z-scores were lower in steeper slope areas (r: -0.05). This analysis highlights the potential of including spatial analyses in research exploring physical and social environmental variables that impact health status, particularly in peri-urban areas characterized by heterogeneous access to infrastructure and services.

Achsah Dorsey

University of Massachusetts- Amherst

Fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) plays an important role in chronic disease risk and overall human health. Childhood FVI is especially important for optimal growth and establishment of lifelong healthy eating behaviors. Problematically, standard methods for measuring children's FVI have major limitations. Self-report of FVI is often unreliable and high-performance liquid chromatography measurement of circulating plasma carotenoid concentrations—the gold standard approach—is invasive. Carotenoids, antioxidant pigments found in many fruits and vegetables, are an established marker of FVI. The Veggie Meter (Longevity Link Corporation) is a device that measures finger skin carotenoid concentrations using reflection spectroscopy, providing a field-friendly, non-invasive method for evaluating FVI. Here, we present cross-sectional pilot data assessing Veggie Meter scores among children (n = 21, 3-12 y) living in a food insecure community in Southwestern Illinois. Veggie Meter scores were low, ranging from 89-244 (possible range is 0-800, average for U.S. children ~238), with a mean of 174.1 (± 46.9). All children had scores indicating inadequate FVI, with two children having skin carotenoid levels below the Veggie Meter limit of detection. Though not significant, initial regression models indicate positive trends between Veggie Meter scores and measures of food/nutrition security, such as perceived healthful food availability (p < 0.2). We build on these findings using biomarkers of antioxidant activity to further investigate drivers of variation in children's skin carotenoid concentrations. The Veggie Meter has the potential to provide quick, objective measures of children's FVI, positioning it as a useful tool for future human biology studies.

Anna Samsonov <anna_samsonov1@baylor.edu>

1: Baylor University, Department of Anthropology; 2: Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Anthropology; 3: Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biology; 4: University of Colorado - Colorado Springs, Department of Anthropology

Estrone (E1), which becomes the dominant circulating estrogen in females after menopause, is associated with the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissues, potentially contributing to chronic inflammation in the context of obesity. We assessed the feasibility of collecting and analyzing minimally-invasive biological samples from Rural Embodiment and Community Health (REACH) Study field sites in southwestern Illinois and conducted preliminary analyses on the relationships between estrone, adiposity, and inflammation. Twenty-seven female participants were enrolled across four field sites and self-collected 1.5 mL of passive drool into a collection tube. Saliva samples were analyzed for E1 using a commercially-available salivary estrone ELISA kit. Fecal calprotectin (FC), a biomarker of intestinal inflammation, was extracted from stool samples using a CALEX Cap device and FC concentration was analyzed using a commercially-available FC ELISA kit. In preliminary models, we used linear regression with log-transformed outcomes to test 1) predictors of salivary estrone concentration and 2) whether salivary estrone concentration predicts fecal calprotectin concentration. In models adjusted for age and menopausal status, we found no significant associations for either relationship: a 5% increase in body fat was associated with a small, non-significant decrease in salivary estrone concentration (-3.4%; 95% CI −18.4 to +14.4; p = 0.70), and salivary estrone concentration was associated with a non-significant increase in fecal calprotectin concentration (45.3%; 95% CI −77.9 to +855.7; p = 0.67). Future analyses will investigate whether fecal estrone concentration is associated with biomarkers of intestinal and systemic inflammation.

Beauregard, Jade Alexandra

1Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis; 2Department of Anthropology, Baylor University; 3Department of Anthropology, University of Missouri – Columbia; 4Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis; 5Department of Medicine, St. Louis University; 6Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs

Environmental pollutants can disrupt endocrine function in ways that reflect and reinforce social inequities in exposure and health. Because calcium balance is central to metabolism, skeletal biology, and adaptation to ecological stressors, the parathyroid hormone (PTH) system offers a sensitive lens on how toxic exposures become biologically embodied. This study examines how exposures to lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) influence PTH variation in U.S. adults and how these effects align with spatial patterns of environmental injustice. Individual-level data from NHANES 2005–2006 (n = 4,128) were analyzed using survey-weighted linear regression to estimate associations between blood metals and serum PTH. To situate these physiological results, county-level socioeconomic and environmental data from the 2022 Environmental Justice Index were mapped and compared with modeled patterns of endocrine vulnerability. At the individual level, metals showed distinct associations with PTH: Pb was positively associated, whereas Cd and Hg were inversely associated (all p < 0.01). Counties with higher environmental-burden scores showed overlapping geographic patterns with elevated modeled PTH and pronounced socioeconomic disadvantage. These findings suggest that toxic metal exposures alter calcium–PTH regulation at the individual level while clustering spatially in communities facing cumulative social and environmental stressors. Integrating physiological, environmental, and socioeconomic data reveals how endocrine function embodies both biochemical disruption and structural inequality.

Chowdhury, Kamal Ibne Amin

University of Kentucky

Rosinger, Asher

Pennsylvania State University

While human facial expressions have been extensively studied in emotionally charged contexts, little is known about the subtle, low-intensity facial movements that occur during everyday conversation. This study explores these expressions in a culturally distinct sample—115 young Kabardians—using FaceReader, an advanced facial expression recognition system based on the Facial Action Coding System (FACS). Participants engaged in 20-second conversations on neutral topics, and their facial movements were recorded on video and analyzed in terms of Action Units. Results showed that both men and women exhibited low-intensity facial movements falling below the visibility threshold for untrained observers. However, women consistently demonstrated more varied and expressive activity in the eyes, nose, and mouth regions. Factor analysis revealed several distinct and recognizable mimic patterns. In men, dominant combinations corresponded to classic emotional configurations such as happiness, disgust, and anger, with additional expressions resembling sadness and contempt. Among women, expressions were more complex and blended, combining happiness, disgust, and subtle fear cues within the same configurations. A notable feature was the presence of brow frowning in women only, potentially reflecting a sex-specific element of conversational facial dynamics. This study contributes novel insights into the ethology of facial expressions in non-emotional settings and underscores the role of background expressions in gendered social signaling. Findings suggest both evolutionary and cultural implications, advocating for further cross-cultural comparisons. This research was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, grant No. 24-18-00457.

Mezentseva, Anna Aleksandrovna

Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Getz, Madeleine Jane

Arizona State University, School of Human Evolution and Social Change

During the COVID-19 pandemic, global levels of poor mental health increased, influenced by factors such as isolation due to lockdown measures and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Previous studies have reported that ACEs may increase perceptions of loneliness in adulthood, which may serve as a prospective risk factor for poor mental health. Guided by the developmental origins framework, this study investigated the association between ACEs and adult mental health symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder), and the potential mediating effect of loneliness in South Africa. This cross-sectional online study recruited 245 participants across South Africa, which included a series of surveys assessing their demographics, social experiences, mental health symptoms, and feelings of loneliness. All statistical analyses were conducted using regression analyses in R, and mediation analysis was conducted using a causal inference framework. Approximately 78% of participants reported experiencing at least one ACE. ACEs were significantly associated with all four mental health outcomes (p < 0.001). In all models, loneliness was a significant mediator between ACEs and poor mental health. These findings highlight that ACEs are a possible risk factor for adult loneliness, which in turn may shape poor mental health in adulthood. Our results highlight the role of early life experiences in shaping adult loneliness and mental health, and the importance of social and family support in mitigating poor psychological health. Furthermore, our results underscore childhood adversity as a public concern requiring systemic responses, including routine screening for ACEs and greater investments in public mental healthcare in South Africa.

Atout, Sameeha

1Department of Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States; 2An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; 3 Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa