Interventions for Population Genetic Screening in Ethnic and Racial Minorities: A Scoping Review

This scoping review synthesizes evidence on interventions designed to increase awareness, access, and uptake of genetic counseling and genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk among racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Embase (through March 2024) for primary quantitative and qualitative studies published in English (2005-2024) that evaluated U.S.-based interventions to improve awareness, referrals, or utilization of genetic services among racial/ethnic minorities. Study quality was appraised with Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists. Owing to heterogeneity in designs and outcomes, findings were narratively synthesized. Of 3,280 records identified, 26 studies met inclusion criteria. Interventions encompassed culturally tailored educational programs, community outreach, provider training and workflow integration, digital decision aids/telehealth models, navigation or community health worker programs, and system-level/registry approaches. Most studies reported improvements in knowledge, referral quality or rates, and participation in counseling and/or testing; several documented narrowing of disparities in specific settings when structural supports were embedded. Limitations include heterogeneity across interventions and outcomes, limited long-term follow-up, and variation in study quality and measurement. The evidence suggests that culturally and linguistically tailored education is most effective when paired with navigation and integrated into clinical or public-health workflows, and that hybrid telehealth models can expand reach when coupled with interpersonal support. Aligning culturally resonant strategies with structural reforms offers a credible pathway to more equitable access to cancer genetics services.