Impact of public health genomics on minorities

The field of public health genomics greatly impacts the health status of minorities. This public health specialty involves the interrelationship of genes, manifestation of diseases, and social determinants involving various elements of the surrounding environment. In public health, the health status of a community is monitored especially involving populations at risk. In Detroit, Michigan, preventable chronic disorders with genetic components such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus are in epidemic proportions afflicting the health of residents of this predominantly minority population comprised of approximately 83.00% African Americans and 6.40% Hispanics. Racial health disparities flourish in this community due to various negative social determinants such as the high unemployment rate and home foreclosure epidemic. In utilizing the principles of genomics, the Surgeon General Family History Initiative has been orchestrated in order to teach the community how to gather accurate documentation of their medical family histories expanding back at least two generations. This initiative encourages the general public to be proactive about their health. The community-based organization Detroit Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) has partnered with other establishments such as health care and community-based organizations in order to teach residents the importance of preventive health care including knowledge of their medical family histories. This interaction between public health professionals and the community of Detroit would help lead to a decrease of racial health disparities manifesting in this population of people. The overall objective of this community endeavor is to utilize the principles of public health genomics in order to produce a healthier Detroit.