Perspectives on Precision Health Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Communities and the Physicians That Serve Them

Area of Science:

• Health Disparities Research
• Precision Health
• Community Engagement

Background:

• Precision health aims to address health disparities.
• Engagement with diverse racial/ethnic minority communities and their physicians is critical for success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To understand precision health research and practice among diverse minority communities and their physicians.
• To explore community and physician attitudes towards precision health and genetic testing.

Main Methods:

• Community-based participatory research with mixed methods.
• Surveys assessed demographics and opinions on precision health and genetic testing.
• Focus groups explored attitudes among American Indian, African American, Latino, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities and their physicians.

Main Results:

• Low familiarity with precision health among community members; high among physicians.
• Enthusiasm for precision health if it includes environmental, behavioral, and social factors.
• Concerns regarding past research abuses, data security, cost, discrimination, and distrust were raised by participants.

Conclusions:

• Community and physician engagement is crucial for advancing precision health.
• Addressing concerns is necessary for equitable implementation of precision health strategies.
• Tailoring precision health approaches to community needs and historical contexts is essential.