Public awareness of genetic influence on chronic disease risk: are genetic and lifestyle causal beliefs compatible?
OBJECTIVE
There is concern that raising awareness about the role of genetics in chronic disease etiology could undermine public belief that lifestyles are important, leading to adverse effects on public health. We tested the hypothesis that people who believe genetics influence chronic disease risk are less likely to believe lifestyles play a role.


METHODS
Open-ended questions about cancer and heart disease risk factors were included in a population-based survey of 1,747 British adults. Responses were coded for causal beliefs about genetics and lifestyle (smoking, diet, alcohol, exercise).


RESULTS
One third of the respondents identified genetic factors as influencing cancer (35%) and heart disease (36%) risk. Identifying genetic risk was associated with female gender, older age and education for both diseases, as well as with family history for heart disease. Individuals identifying genetic influences on cancer risk were more likely to identify diet (p < 0.001) and exercise (p < 0.05), and mentioned more lifestyle factors overall (p < 0.05), independent of demographics and family history. Patterns were similar for heart disease.


CONCLUSIONS
People who recognize that genetics influence chronic disease risk appear more, not less, likely to recognize the role of lifestyles, contradicting suggestions that the public takes an 'either/or' view of the etiology of these potentially preventable diseases.
Sanderson
Saskia C
SC
Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA. saskia.sanderson@mssm.edu
Waller
Jo
J
Humphries
Steve E
SE
Wardle
Jane
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001364:Awareness; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult