A new adaptational or evolutionary hypothesis is offered as a replacement for the traditional paradigm. This premise shifts the view away from the organism as a genetic unit toward the organism as an environmentally adapted entity. Predicted results include decreased costs and increased efficiency of medicine and medical research. Dr. Strohman, professor emeritus of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley, has earned continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1958. Formerly director of research for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he remains active in teaching and research.
All evidence points to the importance of new research at the disease-environment interphase.
The relative risks of developing CHD from such risk factors as hypertension and cigarette smoking are only slightly higher than the risk from physical inactivity. Also, physical inactivity is far more prevalent than any other major risk factor. This lecture covers relevant research on physical inactivity, addresses the biologic mechanism through which exercise may offer protection from CHD, and presents exercise recommendations for reducing this risk factor. Dr. Cosca is an assistant clinical professor of family practice at UC Davis. An avid fitness enthusiast, he has focused his research on the effect of exercise on cardiovascular health.