title: Role of genomics in eliminating health disparities.
abstract: The Texas Center for Health Disparities, a National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Center of Excellence, presents an annual conference to discuss prevention, awareness education, and ongoing research about health disparities both in Texas and among the national population. The 2014 Annual Texas Conference on Health Disparities brought together experts in research, patient care, and community outreach on the "Role of Genomics in Eliminating Health Disparities." Rapid advances in genomics and pharmacogenomics are leading the field of medicine to use genetics and genetic risk to build personalized or individualized medicine strategies. We are at a critical juncture of ensuring such rapid advances benefit diverse populations. Relatively few forums have been organized around the theme of the role of genomics in eliminating health disparities. The conference consisted of three sessions addressing "Gene-Environment Interactions and Health Disparities," "Personalized Medicine and Elimination of Health Disparities," and "Ethics and Public Policy in the Genomic Era." This article summarizes the basic science, clinical correlates, and public health data presented by the speakers.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Meghana V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Kashyap
authors.affiliation: Texas Center for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Texas Center for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sprouse
authors.affiliation: Texas Center for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Ranajit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.affiliation: Texas Center for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.affiliation: Texas Center for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roby
authors.affiliation: Texas Center for Health Disparities, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA.
authors.forename: Jamboor K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Vishwanatha
keywords: Ethnicity; genomics; health disparities; race; socioeconomic status