203670 Differences in genetic knowledge, beliefs about genetic causation and health literacy by age cohort

Monday, November 9, 2009: 10:50 AM

Sato Ashida, PhD , Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD
Melody S. Goodman, PhD , Graduate Program in Public Health/ Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University - School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
Chintan Pandaya , Graduate Program in Public Health/ Department of Preventive Medicine, Stony Brook University - School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
Laura M. Koehly, PhD , Social and Behavioral Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute/NIH, Bethesda, MD
Christina Lachance, MPH , Social and Behavioral Research Branch, NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD
Jewel D. Stafford, MSW , Graduate Program in Public Health/ Department of Preventive Medicine, Center for Public Health and Health Policy Research, Stony Brook, NY
Kimberly Kaphingst, ScD , Social and Behavioral Research Branch, NIH/National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD
Despite the rapid increase in the availability of genetic information, we have little understanding of how this information will be received and used by the general public. Assessing pre-existing genetic knowledge and beliefs, and how these may differ among sociodemographic subgroups, is a critical first step toward understanding how individuals may respond to new genetic information. Age may be a particularly important variable to consider. Health literacy research has shown that older individuals generally have lower health knowledge than younger individuals, and findings among the Dutch and Japanese public indicate that this may be true for genetic knowledge as well.

This study examines genetic knowledge, beliefs about genetic causation, and levels of health literacy among individuals in different age cohorts. Data (N = 1,016) were obtained through waiting room surveys completed by a diverse sample of patients attending 8 community health centers in Suffolk County, NY. Preliminary findings show that younger individuals had significantly higher levels of genetic knowledge compared to those in older age groups (p=.006). One of the beliefs about genetic causation (a person's weight is caused by genes) also differed by age group, indicating that older individuals possess stronger genetic causal beliefs (p<.001). Consistent with the literature, health literacy was higher among younger individuals (p=.007). These findings suggest that individuals from different age cohorts may respond differently to genetic susceptibility information. The implications of these results for the development of public health messages about genetic information will be presented.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, participants will be able to: 1.Discuss differences in the levels of health literacy, genetic knowledge, and genetic causal beliefs among individuals in different age cohorts. 2.Describe potential strategies to tailor the dissemination of genetic information based on the age of the target population. 3.Identify additional questions to be explored in future research to increase our understanding about the use of genetic information among the general public.

Keywords: Community Health Centers, Health Literacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified because I received a doctoral degree in public health in 2005, and have been conducting research in the area of public health genomics since 2006. I developed the research question and will lead the development of the presentation and paper contents.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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