What exactly are you asking? a comparison of self-report and genomic ancestral status

Minority representation in research, especially genomic research, presents a challenge to address population issues and provide appropriate “reference” gene analysis. Population studies demonstrate that the burden of chronic disease is often associated with minorities. The development of next generation sequencing, whole genome sequencing, as well as robust collection of clinical and demographic data, may assist to identify relationships between race, ethnicity and health care outcomes. Our Molecular Study of Preterm Birth afforded the opportunity to assess population genomic variations and demographic/clinical factors as they relate to health care access and outcomes. This study involved 840 families, consisting of mother, father, and baby. This robust data set represents Caucasian, African American, Central and South American, African, and East Asian and Asian families. Variation in genetic architecture is great and may emerge as an indicator of disease diversity and health outcomes. This data compares the electronic medical record, self report, and genomic reference data to outcome analysis for health care access and preterm birth for these families from over 70 different countries. Comparisons between hospital registration to self reported race and ethnicity with genomic ancestral status adds complexity to an already challenging scientific enterprise of evaluating molecular data. Comparisons between health utilization and health outcomes are layered with the genomic data. Preterm birth is multifactorial. As genomic advances continue to explore the effects of race and ethnicity on health care outcomes we need to determine “what exactly are you asking?” as we seek to ascertain the cause of health care inequalities?