220237 Public awareness and use of direct-to-consumer genetic tests

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Cecelia A. Bellcross, PhD, MS, CGC , Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Michele Reyes, PhD, MS , Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Katherine Kolor, PhD, MS, CGC , Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Muin Khoury, MD, PhD , Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Purpose: Numerous genetic tests are available and marketed direct-to-consumers (DTC), often without scientific evidence of health benefit. Understanding the public's knowledge and utilization of these tests may provide insight into the need for targeted educational activities. This study assessed the public's awareness and ordering of specific genetic tests available DTC in a national sample of adults in the United States. Methods: Data were collected on 4,398 respondents utilizing the 2007 HealthStyles survey (response rate 67%). Questions focused on five types of genetic tests currently available DTC: paternity, ancestry, cystic fibrosis, BRCA1/2, and nutrigenomic testing. Results: A majority of respondents (88%) had heard or read about paternity testing, but a minority had heard or read about testing for ancestry (33%), cystic fibrosis (36%), BRCA1/2 (21%), or nutrigenomics (7%). 72% of respondents were not aware that any of these tests could be ordered without the help of a healthcare provider (i.e., DTC). Less than 3% of respondents reported having ordered any of these tests DTC, primarily paternity and ancestry testing. Awareness was more common among females and those with some college education and higher incomes. Conclusions: These data suggest that aside from paternity testing, the majority of consumers are not aware of other common types of genetic testing. A minority appear to be aware that these tests are available DTC, and few have accessed such testing. Following these trends over time will be important to assessing the impact of the changing availability and marketing of DTC genetic tests.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
The participant will be able to: 1) Identify currently available direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic tests. 2) Describe public awareness of specific genetic tests which are available DTC. 3) Compare use of specific DTC genetic tests as reported in a survey of the public.

Keywords: Genetics, Utilization

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I worked on the analyses and writing of the manuscript.
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.