Exploring Inequities Impacting the Practice of Genomic Medicine

Drs. Theodore Drivas and Jessica Gold will discuss a large retrospective study of over 14,000 adults evaluating how race and social determinants of health influence access to adult genetics clinics, genetic testing decisions, and diagnostic outcomes. The paper reveals striking disparities in who is evaluated for genetics care—and who ultimately benefits from testing. 

Overview of Presentation

• Retrospective analysis of 14,669 adult patients seen in two large U.S. health system Adult Genetics Clinics 

• Black patients and those from disadvantaged neighborhoods are significantly less likely to be evaluated in Adult Genetics Clinics 

• When evaluated, Black patients are more likely to undergo genetic testing than White patients 

• Patients from disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to receive diagnostic results, independent of race