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Awareness and utilization of genetic testing among Hispanic and Latino adults living in the US: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

TitleAwareness and utilization of genetic testing among Hispanic and Latino adults living in the US: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.
Publication TypePublication
Year2023
AuthorsChristensen KD, Zhang M, Galbraith LN, Granot-Hershkovitz E, Nelson SC, Gonzalez S, Argos M, Perreira KM, Daviglus ML, Isasi CR, Cai J, Talavera GA, Zawatsky CLBlout, Green RC, Isasi R, Kaplan R, Sofer T
JournalHGG Adv
Volume4
Issue1
Pagination100160
Date Published2023 Jan 12
ISSN2666-2477
KeywordsGenetic Testing, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Hispanic or Latino, Humans, Income, Public Health, Risk Factors, United States
Abstract

We investigated the awareness, perceived usefulness, and use of genetic testing among Hispanic and Latino individuals. Annual follow-up surveys for the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) from 2019 to April 2020 assessed participants' level of awareness and use of genetic tests to determine disease risks, likelihood of passing disease to children, disease treatment, or drug selection. They also were asked to rate the usefulness of the tests for managing a person's health on a 1 (not at all useful) to 10 (extremely useful) scale. There were 5,769 HCHS/SOL participants who completed at least one survey question. Of the target population, 55.2% was aware of at least one type of genetic test. Awareness varied between HCHS/SOL enrollment sites and was higher among individuals who had higher educational attainment and had higher incomes. Only 3.3% of the target population reported receiving one or more of the tests described. HCHS/SOL individuals rated the usefulness as 8.4, on average, with lower scores observed among U.S.-born individuals compared to individuals born outside the United States, with differences by HCHS/SOL enrollment sites. In conclusion, while awareness of genetic testing among Hispanic and Latino individuals varies by location, education, and income, perceptions about its usefulness are high while experiences with testing are rare. Results identify groups and locations that may benefit from greater outreach about the capabilities of genetic testing and precision medicine.

DOI10.1016/j.xhgg.2022.100160
Alternate JournalHGG Adv
PubMed ID36483158
PubMed Central IDPMC9722474
Grant ListN01HC65233 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65234 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65235 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65236 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
N01HC65237 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
K01 HG009173 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
MS#: 
1023
ECI: 
Yes
Manuscript Affiliation: 
HCHS/SOL Baseline Visit - Sleep Center - Harvard Medical School/The Brigham & Women's Hospital
Manuscript Status: 
Published