Cheryl Prescod, a health-care administrator with a decade of experience, has observed firsthand the challenges faced by Black Canadians within the country’s health-care system. Serving as the executive director at the Black Creek Community Health Centre in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area, she caters to a diverse clientele, predominantly comprising Black and racialized individuals. Many of these individuals struggle to access health services that prioritize their safety and cultural needs.
Black Canadians bear a disproportionate burden of certain health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and triple-negative breast cancer. To address this disparity, a new initiative called the genCARE project is set to commence on February 1. Researchers from Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia will analyze the genetic makeup of over 10,000 Black Canadians affected by these diseases, as well as individuals without underlying medical issues. This project, funded by Genome Canada, aims to identify targeted treatments and preventive measures for more equitable and anti-racist health outcomes.
Prescod emphasizes the importance of including Black individuals in genetic studies, noting that less than five percent of global genetic research includes data from this demographic. She hopes that insights from the genCARE project will empower her to better assist her patients at Black Creek in managing their health conditions effectively.
Dr. Upton Allen, the administrative lead of the genCARE project, envisions a future where patients’ genetic information informs personalized treatment plans—a concept known as precision medicine. This approach could shed light on why certain individuals are more susceptible to certain disorders and help tailor treatments accordingly.
Overcoming historical discrimination and mistrust within Black communities is a significant hurdle for the researchers involved in the genCARE project. Recruitment efforts are challenging due to deep-rooted skepticism towards medical institutions, necessitating the engagement of thousands of participants.
Dr. Gavin Oudit, a cardiology professor at the University of Alberta, underscores the importance of initiatives like genCARE in improving disease predictions and treatment outcomes. He highlights the inadequacy of current genetic databases, which lack sufficient data from racialized populations, leading to incomplete and deficient results for patients of Black or Indigenous backgrounds.
To earn the trust of participants and avoid causing harm, the researchers plan to anonymize DNA data, securely store it in Canada, and share study findings with community members through events like town halls. Building on successful outreach efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, community engagement strategies will be pivotal in fostering trust and encouraging participation in the genCARE project.
Recruitment for the project will extend beyond community health centers like Black Creek to encompass doctors’ offices and hospitals, with plans to include children in the next phase. While the benefits of the genCARE project may not be immediate for participants, Prescod remains hopeful that it will pave the way for improved health outcomes for future generations.