India Poised to Lead in Exposomics Research, Says Health Expert

India is on the brink of becoming a global frontrunner in exposomics research, a transformative field that examines how environmental exposures influence health throughout a person’s lifetime, said Dr. Kalpana Balakrishnan, Dean of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research.

Speaking to PTI after participating in an international forum on exposomics organized by Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC, Dr. Balakrishnan highlighted India’s unique potential to contribute to this emerging field. “India’s mix of traditional and modern environmental health risks positions it as a natural laboratory for exposome science,” she said.

Exposomics, a term introduced by epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Wild in 2005, refers to the cumulative impact of all environmental exposures—from air and water pollution to diet, stress, and chemical exposure—that individuals encounter from conception to death.

“Health isn’t shaped by genes alone—it’s in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the ecosystems we live in,” Balakrishnan emphasized. “Understanding the exposome can radically reshape disease prevention and public health strategies in India.”

Experts believe exposomics could be the missing link in explaining the surge of non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and respiratory disorders in both urban and rural populations.

Dr. Balakrishnan also noted that India’s expanding data infrastructure, along with its growing expertise in public health and epidemiology, offers fertile ground for cutting-edge exposomic research. “With the right investment and collaboration, India can become a global hub for exposomics,” she added.

The forum at Johns Hopkins brought together global scientists, policymakers, and public health leaders to chart a roadmap for integrating exposomic insights into national health frameworks.