A groundbreaking international initiative to map the entirety of human exposure to environmental factors – the “human exposome” – is gaining significant momentum, with key updates presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona on . A session moderated by the Financial Times, titled “How the human exposome will unlock better health and medicine,” brought together leaders from the Global Exposome Forum to outline advancements made since the project’s launch in Washington D.C. In .
The initiative aims to fundamentally shift medical understanding beyond genetics, recognizing that while genes play a role in disease risk – estimated at only 10-20% – environmental exposures likely contribute to 80% or more. This includes a lifetime accumulation of exposures from diet, lifestyle, pollutants, and even social interactions.
“We are here to make waves, not ripples,” stated Prof. Thomas Hartung of Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, organizer of the AAAS panel. He highlighted the surge in interest and firm commitments from national governments, global scientific institutions, and large membership-led organizations over the past nine months. The panel announced three examples of these collaborations.
Understanding the Exposome: A Paradigm Shift in Medicine
The Human Exposome Project is ambitious in scope, potentially rivaling and even exceeding the impact of the Human Genome Project. While the Genome Project revolutionized our understanding of genetic predisposition to disease, it only addressed a portion of the overall picture. The exposome, in contrast, seeks to understand the complex interplay between an individual’s environment and their genetic makeup.
Researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence, advanced sensor technology, metabolomics, and big data analytics to map these exposures. The goal is not simply to identify individual risk factors, but to understand how these factors interact with each other and with our genes to influence health outcomes. This requires a coordinated, global effort.
Global Collaboration and Regional Expansion
The project is rapidly expanding through the establishment of regional chapters and working groups. A significant step forward occurred on , in Pretoria, South Africa, where the government hosted a meeting at the Science Forum South Africa and the World Conference of Science Journalists to assess the feasibility of a pan-African exposome network. Senior officials from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) were briefed, building on South Africa’s previous participation in the Washington D.C. Launch.
This meeting resulted in an agreement for pan-African experts to engage with Global Exposome Forum working groups and participate in thematic meetings worldwide. Improving coordination of health data reporting systems was identified as a key initial priority, with a follow-up workshop scheduled for early . The Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) has offered to serve as the founding host of the pan-African network.
Similar momentum is building in other regions, including Latin America and the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Europe is hosting the Global Exposome Summit in Sitges, Spain, from , with early registration numbers exceeding expectations.
Policy Implications and Scientific Guidance
Recognizing the importance of translating scientific discoveries into effective policies, the Global Exposome Forum is actively engaging with science advisory systems worldwide. Prof. Rémi Quirion, President of the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA), has been a strong supporter of the initiative. INGSA organized a policy-focused panel during the May 2025 meeting in Washington, D.C., bringing together leaders from UNESCO, WHO, and the African Academy of Sciences.
Since then, INGSA has facilitated discussions on “exposomethics” – the ethical considerations surrounding the use of exposome data in policymaking – and is formalizing collaboration with the Global Exposome Forum across its 10,000-member network. A further high-level session is planned for , at the Global Exposome Summit in Sitges, Spain.
On , the Global Exposome Forum launched a partnership with the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) and UNESCO. This collaboration will include a series of virtual town halls covering single-cell analysis, genomics, exposomics, and science policy. UNESCO is expected to host a follow-up session in Paris on , at the Assistant Director-General level, with the aim of signing a Memorandum of Understanding between UNESCO and the Global Exposome Forum.
A Grassroots, Collaborative Approach
Central to the Forum’s strategy is the creation of exposome-focused working groups, comprised of participants from industry, government, academia, and civil society. These member-driven teams are responsible for tackling urgent scientific and policy questions, collaborating through a dedicated digital platform for messaging, document sharing, and coordinated international work. This bottom-up model aims to engage both citizens and elected officials in addressing critical public health challenges, from childhood asthma and autism to cognitive decline and the regulation of environmental contaminants.
These developments collectively signal a transition from planning to implementation. Through coordinated partnerships, international cooperation, and shared research infrastructure, the Global Exposome Forum is poised to transform exposomics into a powerful force in public health and modern medicine.
