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. 2022 May 13:13:886755.
doi: 10.3389/fgene.2022.886755. eCollection 2022.

Utilizing Public Health Frameworks and Partnerships to Ensure Equity in DNA-Based Population Screening

Elyse Azriel  1 , Candace Henley  2 , Joan Ehrhardt  1 , Heather Hampel  3 , Anna Newlin  4 , Erica Ramos  5 , Catherine Wicklund  1 , Debra Duquette  1
Affiliations

Utilizing Public Health Frameworks and Partnerships to Ensure Equity in DNA-Based Population Screening

Elyse Azriel et al. Front Genet. .

Abstract

DNA-Based population screening in the United States has the promise to improve the health of all people in all communities. We highlight recent DNA-based population screening examples at the state, local, and individual level. Key public health principles and concepts with a focus on equity appear to be lacking in current efforts. We request 'A Call to Action' that involves all partners in DNA-based population screening. Potential actions to consider include: a) identification and elimination of systemic barriers that result in health inequities in DNA-based population screening and follow-up; b) creation of a national multidisciplinary advisory committee with representation from underserved communities; c) revisiting well-described public health screening principles and frameworks to guide new screening decisions and initiatives; d) inclusion of the updated Ten Essential Public Health Services with equity at the core in efforts at the local, state and national level.

Keywords: DNA-based screening; genomic screening; health equity; population screening; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

HH is on the scientific advisory boards for Invitae Genetics, Genome Medical, and Promega. She is a consultant for GI On Demand and 23 and Me. She has stock/stock options in Genome Medical and GI OnDemand. CW is on the scientific advisory board for Genome Medical. She has stock options in Genome Medical. ER is employed by and a shareholder in Genome Medical. DD is a paid consultant for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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