Genomics and Health Disparities: Challenges and Opportunities

Genomics research has much to offer in the global effort to understand disease susceptibility and resistance at the individual and population levels.  The advances in technology and increased investigation into human genetic variation will mean that genomics will play a valuable role in efforts to find new treatments or preventions for chronic diseases that disproportionately affect certain ethnic or ancestral groups.  Despite this, modern genomics discovery efforts, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) or whole genome sequencing have concentrated heavily on populations of European ancestry, with individuals of other ancestries rarely represented.  Studies in populations of other ancestral groups are crucial because additional variants present at higher frequencies in these populations may be absent or rare in European populations.  Studies focused on understanding the genetic underpinnings of diseases such as prostate cancer are illustrative of the positive contribution that genomics can have on improving health in US minority populations.  It is important to ensure that diverse populations are included in human genome research progresses in order for the public health genomics field to avoid contributing to healthcare disparities.