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Genomic information as a behavioral health intervention: can it work?
Cinnamon S Bloss1, Lisa Madlensky, Nicholas J Schork
1Scripps Genomic Medicine, Scripps Translational Science Institute & Scripps Health, 3344 N Torrey Pines Court, Suite 300, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Personalized Medicine
|December 27, 2011
Summary
Direct-to-consumer genetic testing has minimal impact on risk-reducing lifestyle behaviors. More research is needed to understand how personal genomic information can motivate health behavior change.
Area of Science:
- Genomics and Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Health Communication
Background:
- Direct-to-consumer genetic testing provides personal genomic information.
- The impact of this information on lifestyle and health behaviors is largely unknown.
- Previous studies show minimal lifestyle changes following genetic testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on lifestyle behavioral change in response to genetic testing for common disease susceptibility variants.
- To assess the potential of personal genomic information to impact public health through lifestyle modification.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining lifestyle behavioral change after genetic testing.
- Analysis of existing research on the effectiveness of genetic information in motivating health behaviors.
Main Results:
- Limited evidence suggests that providing genetic information alone does not lead to widespread lifestyle changes.
- A longitudinal cohort study found minimal impact of consumer genome scanning on risk-reducing behaviors like diet and exercise.
Conclusions:
- Personal genomic information currently has a minimal impact on motivating widespread lifestyle behavioral changes.
- Further research is needed, particularly on multiplex testing and sophisticated risk communication strategies.
- Future interventions may require integrated approaches combining genetic information with other tools like health monitoring.
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