The Indices of Evolutionary Medicine

Abstract

Recognizing diseases and their causes is one of the most critical issues in medicine, forming the foundation of treatment. Disease responses and complications might differ among individuals, with some exhibiting more resistance to certain illnesses due to genetic or environmental factors. Furthermore, we are currently witnessing the emergence of new diseases for which definitive treatments have yet to be developed. This evidently underscores the need to explore the fundamental causes of diseases. Evolutionary medicine has been discussed in Western medical discourse for less than half a century. Grounded in Darwinian principles, this theory examines the issues humans have faced, both naturally and as influenced by social conditions, throughout our evolutionary history. Research in evolutionary medicine indicates that human health and illness are shaped not only by immediate biological and environmental factors but also by the long history of human evolution and the transformations that have occurred over time. Accordingly, this study introduced 13 key indices of evolutionary medicine, highlighting its significance and application in medicine and healthcare. Moreover, it emphasized the necessity for greater attention to this concept from both medical science and interdisciplinary perspectives