Title: The Power of Social Exposome Research to Catalyze Real-World Change: The Case of Milwaukee Water Works Lead Pipe Replacement Plan
Bio: Amy Kind, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Medicine, Associate Dean for Social Health Sciences and Programs, Executive Director of the WI Partnership Program, CEO, The Orion Initiative, and Director of the Center for Health Disparities (CHDR) at UW was selected as the 2026 Philip Farrell Alumni Speaker. She will be speaking on, The Power of Social Exposome Research to Catalyze Real-World Change: The Case of Milwaukee Water Works Lead Pipe Replacement Plan.
Abstract: The social exposome, an individual’s life-course social context, is a critical element in understanding and preventing disease, particularly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Increasingly, the social exposome is seen as a modifiable factor that may hold the key to improved population health, with the ability to unlock a better understanding of how (environment + genetics = health). This presentation will highlight the role of the exposome in health policy spaces, the role the social exposome plays in brain health and how to utilize this information to catalyze real world change. It also raises important questions about the role of the exposome in current NIH funding opportunities and the ethical responsibility of the academic research community to improve the human condition. Dr. Kind’s research focuses on assessing and improving care for highly vulnerable and disadvantaged older adult populations, especially those with ADRD. She strives to develop novel ways to improve brain health and to eliminate health disparities through innovative research in health policy and clinical programs.
