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The Role of Environmental Agents in Cardiovascular DiseaseAugust 6 and 7, 2002, Durham, NCCardiovascular disease represents the primary source of mortality in the industrialized world. The etiologies of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are multifactorial and include diet, genetics, and lifestyle. However, recent findings over the last several years have made it clear that environmental factors, such as ambient particulate matter, aldehydes, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons are associated with pathophysiological changes in the cardiovascular system, cardiac malformations, and death due to CVD. However, many questions remain as to what agents play a role in CVD. Recent advances in the fields of signal transduction, genetics, molecular biology, and epidemiology make expansion of research efforts in this area very timely. In addition, some environmental health science and cardiovascular researchers have successfully bridged the gap between these disciplines, resulting in innovative approaches to the study of environmentally induced CVD. Therefore, enhanced collaboration between these disciplines is seen as vital to the success of these efforts. The main purpose of this workshop is to seek input from the environmental health science and cardiovascular research communities on the most appropriate and productive directions for research in the area of environmentally related cardiovascular disease. The format of the workshop, with emphasis on breakout sessions, is designed to enhance interactions among research scientists that will lead to identification of gaps in knowledge, appropriate questions for future research, innovative uses of existing technology and ideas for new technologies (including animal models), and types of collaborations needed to address these issues. A report will ultimately be compiled from the recommendations of the workshop participants which will be forwarded to the Director of NIEHS, Dr. Ken Olden, and to EPA's Assistant Administrator for Research and Development. |
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