title: Using Genetic Technologies To Reduce, Rather Than Widen, Health Disparities.
abstract: Evidence shows that both biological and nonbiological factors contribute to health disparities. Genetics, in particular, plays a part in how common diseases manifest themselves. Today, unprecedented advances in genetically based diagnoses and treatments provide opportunities for personalized medicine. However, disadvantaged groups may lack access to these advances, and treatments based on research on non-Hispanic whites might not be generalizable to members of minority groups. Unless genetic technologies become universally accessible, existing disparities could be widened. Addressing this issue will require integrated strategies, including expanding genetic research, improving genetic literacy, and enhancing access to genetic technologies among minority populations in a way that avoids harms such as stigmatization.
authors: Caren E. Smith (caren.smith@tufts.edu) is a scientist in the Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, in Boston, Massachusetts.
authors: Caren E
authors: CE
authors: Smith
authors: Stephanie M. Fullerton is an associate professor in the Department of Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Washington, in Seattle.
authors: Stephanie M
authors: SM
authors: Fullerton
authors: Keith A. Dookeran is an assistant professor in the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, at the University of Illinois at Chicago and chair and CEO of the Cancer Foundation for Minority and Underserved Populations, also in Chicago.
authors: Keith A
authors: KA
authors: Dookeran
authors: Heather Hampel is a professor in the Division of Human Genetics at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Columbus.
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Hampel
authors: Adrienne Tin is an assistant scientist in the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Adrienne
authors: A
authors: Tin
authors: Nisa M. Maruthur is an assistant professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Department of Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research at Johns Hopkins University.
authors: Nisa M
authors: NM
authors: Maruthur
authors: Jonathan C. Schisler is an assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
authors: Jonathan C
authors: JC
authors: Schisler
authors: Jeffrey A. Henderson is president and CEO of the Black Hills Center for American Indian Health, in Rapid City, South Dakota.
authors: Jeffrey A
authors: JA
authors: Henderson
authors: Katherine L. Tucker is a professor in clinical laboratory and nutritional sciences at the University of Massachusetts, in Lowell.
authors: Katherine L
authors: KL
authors: Tucker
authors: José M. Ordovás is director of the Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University.
authors: José M
authors: JM
authors: Ordovás
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D020380:Needs Assessment; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
keywords: Determinants Of Health; Disparities; Minority Health; Public Health; Research And Technology