Creating Health Equity Through Global Genomics Research

WELCOME: 2023 GLOBAL GENOMICS & HEALTH EQUITY SCHOLARS

Summer 2023 Health Equity Scholars
Three undergraduate students from Lincoln University received research training at the University of Pennsylvania: Tunmise Okuneye, Jaida Lumpkin, and Judith Ojukwu (summer interns). With Dr. Sarah Tishkoff on the right (UPenn) and Dr. Anna Hull from Lincoln University on the left

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS TO ADVANCE EQUITABLE GENOMICS RESEARCH

Facilitate the understanding of genetic and environmental factors influencing health disparities in the US and across the globe through interdisciplinary collaborations, partnerships, and education.

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Our Vision

To advance equitable genomics research for the benefit of all.

Our Mission

Promote health equity through genomics research, education, policy, and practice.

Our Goals

Facilitate integrative genomics research of under-represented populations in the US and across the globe through interdisciplinary collaborations, community partnerships, and education.

Why we do what we do

Every person carries a unique genetic code that influences both normal variable traits as well as risk for disease and side-effects from drug treatment. We know that health disparities exist for common diseases that have a genetic component such as diabetes, heart disease, breast and prostate cancer, kidney disease, among others. Unfortunately, nearly 80% of individuals included in genomic studies of disease risk are of European ancestry; merely 2% are of African ancestry and 1% of Hispanic ancestry.

The lack of ethnic diversity in human genomic studies impedes our ability to fully understand the genetic and environmental risk factors influencing health disparities and it exacerbates health inequalities. The lack of inclusion of ethnically diverse populations in human genomics research means that our ability to translate genetic research into clinical practice or public health policy may be incomplete, or worse, mistaken. Inclusion of ethnically diverse individuals in genetics research is essential and requires careful consideration of ethical, social, and political challenges.

The purpose of the Penn Center for Global Genomics and Health Equity is to facilitate understanding of genetic and environmental factors influencing health disparities in the US and across the globe through interdisciplinary collaborations, partnerships, and education. These findings will be translated into public policy and clinical practice to promote health equity.

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