Biological Mechanisms

There is strong evidence for the influence of both social and psychological determinants of health; however the physiological processes associated with these determinants are only beginning to be understood. BioPop research uses an integrative, systems approach, rather than individual measures of health and disease, to investigate these mechanisms of influence. BioPop research is also investigating methods of measuring biomarkers correlated with perceived health and mental health states.

Caregiver Strain and Cellular Aging: An Ancillary Study to the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin
Funded by the Center for Demography of Health and Aging)

Drs. Whitney Witt, Marsha Seltzer, and Javier Nieto are leading a study to examine the physiological and perceived impact of caring for individuals with long-term illness or disability among a population-based sample of informal caregivers. Specifically, this study will determine the cross-sectional relationship between perceived caregiver stress and cellular aging among caregivers.

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Stress and Cellular Aging among Parental Caregivers of Childhood Cancer
Funded by the University of Wisconsin Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dr. Whitney Witt was recently funded to examine the relationship between perceived stress and cellular aging in a cross-sectional study of primary caregivers of childhood cancer patients. This research aims to improve our understanding of the biological and psychological impact of caring for a survivor of childhood cancer. The long-term goal of this program of research is to understand how childhood cancer survivorship affects the family, determine how caregivers experience stress and cope, and ultimately to improve the health-related quality of life of cancer survivors.

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