THU AM News: UW study finds connection between PFAS and eating locally caught fish; Latest phase of UW-Madison research initiative aims to improve health

August 29, 2024

— UW-Madison researchers found higher levels of PFAS in the blood of older, higher-income white men who had eaten locally caught fish in the past year, according to a recent study.

The research, published recently in the Journal of Environmental Research, was led by scientists at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Lead author Amy Schultz, an epidemiology senior data scientist with the university, notes the upper Midwest is “an area of special concern” for PFAS contamination due to its history of manufacturing and a strong fishing tradition.

“While other localized studies have identified eating caught fish as a source of PFAS exposure, this was the first population-based biomonitoring study in the Great Lakes area to examine what other factors may also be associated with PFAS levels,” she said. “However, even in this statewide study, we found an association between PFAS levels and eating caught fish.”

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, typically called PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are man-made materials used in a wide range of consumer products such as non-stick pans and packing for food. They’ve been linked to various human health concerns including cancer and lower birth rates.

The research project focused on consumption of locally caught fish because contaminants such as PFAS can become concentrated higher up in the food chain, according to a release from the university.

Researchers analyzed samples from 605 adults who donated blood between 2014 and 2016 through the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin, now called the REACH Program. They tested them for 38 different types of PFAS using a method that can detect it at low levels, and compared results with eating habits, lifestyle, race, income level and other factors such as where they live.

The “strongest link” was found between higher PFAS levels and being older, male, non-Hispanic white, higher income and eating caught fish, the study shows. Researchers also found those who ate microwaved popcorn had “somewhat higher levels,” as PFAS compounds weren’t banned from use in lining popcorn bags until earlier this year.

Still, they didn’t find that eating fast food increased PFAS levels, despite knowing fast food containers are a source of exposure to the chemicals, according to Schultz. She notes the study represents a “first look” at understanding who is more likely to be exposed to PFAS in Wisconsin, and overall PFAS averages were low.

“Just because we found an association with eating caught fish with higher PFAS serum levels does not mean anglers should stop eating local fish,” she said.

The same research team previously found Wisconsin residents have lower PFAS levels than the national average.

The study comes as Gov. Tony Evers is urging quick approval of new federal standards to limit exposure to PFAS in drinking water, as his administration moves to implement the new regulations.

See the release and see more on the new PFAS standards at WisPolitics.

— The next phase of UW-Madison’s RISE initiative has a focus on improving health, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin announced.

The Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence initiative, first announced in February, aims to solve “significant, complex challenges” through research collaboration and other targeted efforts, according to the release. Initial phases for the effort had a focus on AI and environmental sustainability, called RISE-AI and RISE-EARTH, respectively.

Now, RISE-THRIVE — which stands for Transforming Healthspan through Research, InnoVation, and Education — aims to elevate UW-Madison’s status as a health research hub while bringing together various disciplines within the university. It has two key areas of focus: immunology and improving the human “healthspan,” a term for the number of years a person is not only alive but also healthy.

Robert Golden, dean of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, says improving scientists’ understanding of the human immune system is “crucial” for developing new cancer treatments, improving organ transplants, fighting autoimmune disorders and boosting disease resilience.

“Improving healthspan will also require deeper scientific knowledge of the complex relationships between our bodies and the world that surrounds us,” Golden said in the release.

Ten schools and colleges at UW-Madison will be working together to expand research in key areas such as stem cell biology, interactions between the immune system and microbiome, genomics, new technologies and much more. The university says it plans to make 80 hires in the next several years for the effort.

Mnookin in a statement touts UW-Madison’s reputation for research on the human immune system and health aging as well as social factors that influence health.

“RISE-THRIVE will strategically focus our investments in these disciplines to improve human healthspan, building on our existing strengths and generating research into critical new treatments for diseases ranging from Parkinson’s to cancer,” she said.

See more in the release.

— A new AARP report finds more than 49,900 Wisconsin residents enrolled in Medicare will save money on their prescription drugs starting next year when an out-of-pocket price cap kicks in.

AARP Wisconsin State Director Martha Cranley is touting the organization’s work to support the 2022 law enacting the price caps.

“Knowing they won’t pay a dime over $2,000 next year – maximum – for prescription drugs they get at the pharmacy gives Wisconsin seniors on Medicare drug plans some peace of mind as they struggle to keep up with rising costs for other everyday essentials like housing, groceries and utilities,” Cranley said in a release.

The group says Medicare drug plan enrollees who hit the new cap will save an average of $1,500 next year on their prescriptions.

See the national-level report and see more in the release.

Top headlines from the Health Care Report…

— More Wisconsin students are getting exemptions from vaccinations, driven largely by an increase in personal conviction waivers.

For more of the most relevant health care news, reports on groundbreaking research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics and WisBusiness.com.

Sign up here.

— Fetch has gotten a patent for a consumer engagement system on its rewards program app, the Madison-based company announced.

The patent covers its Dynamic Integrated Celebration Engine, or DICE, which plays various animations when users scan a receipt or use the company’s mobile gaming integration, Fetch Play.

The system is based on a “nondeterministic and probabilistic” algorithm, meaning users see different animations of varying rarity when they complete an action within the app. This is meant to bring users back regularly and drive engagement.

“This patent further reinforces Fetch as the industry leader in developing real-time automated and personalized rewards,” Chief Product Officer Ayo Jimoh said in a statement.

See the release and listen to an earlier podcast with Fetch CEO and founder Wes Schroll.

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