Zilber College of Public Health Seminar – PFAs (“Forever Chemicals”) and Cardiometabolic Disease in Urban U.S. Communities

Presented by:
Chibuzor Abasilim, Assistant Professor, Epidemiology
Zilber College of Public Health

For population groups facing elevated exposure to environmental contaminants due to occupation, residence and sociocultural factors, the risk and burden of cardiometabolic conditions including diabetes and hypertension may be elevated. PFAS (forever chemicals) are widespread contaminants that are increasingly linked to cardiometabolic disease risk. This talk will focus on ongoing work evaluating PFAS exposures in Black adults enrolled in the Chicago Multiethnic Prevention and Surveillance Study. Abasilim will present findings on PFAS related hypertension and select biological pathways underlying PFAS toxicity. Future directions for this work will also be discussed, with a particular focus on Milwaukee County.

The seminar can also be attended virtually on Teams.