Cheryl Prescod, a health-care administrator with a decade of experience, has observed how Black Canadians can feel marginalized by the one-size-fits-all approach of the Canadian health-care system. As the executive director of the Black Creek Community Health Centre in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area, Prescod caters to a diverse clientele, including a significant number of Black and racialized individuals who struggle to access culturally sensitive health care.
Black communities are disproportionately affected by specific illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and triple-negative breast cancer. In a new initiative starting on February 1, researchers from Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia are launching the genCARE project. This project aims to analyze the genetic makeup of over 10,000 Black Canadians with these diseases and individuals without underlying health conditions. Funded by Genome Canada, the project seeks to identify targeted treatment and preventive care strategies for more equitable and anti-racist health outcomes.
Prescod emphasized the importance of including Black populations in genetic studies, as less than five percent of such studies worldwide incorporate data from Black individuals. She hopes that the genCARE research outcomes will benefit her patients at Black Creek in managing their health conditions effectively.
Dr. Upton Allen, the project’s administrative lead, highlighted that the ultimate objective of genCARE is to adopt precision medicine by considering a patient’s genetic composition and other factors in diagnosis and treatment. Overcoming historical discrimination and mistrust towards medical institutions within Black communities poses a challenge for recruiting participants in the project.
Dr. Gavin Oudit, a cardiology professor at the University of Alberta not involved in genCARE, praised the initiative for its potential to enhance disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment. He pointed out the deficiency in genomic databases due to the lack of data from racialized groups, leading to inaccurate results for patients of Black and Indigenous backgrounds.
To build trust and avoid perpetuating harm, researchers plan to anonymize DNA data, securely store it in Canada, and share study findings with the community. Community engagement strategies, such as utilizing local ambassadors for outreach and education, are crucial in fostering trust and participation among Black Canadians.
As the genCARE project progresses, recruitment will expand to include participants from various health facilities, with plans to involve children in the research. While the benefits of genCARE may not be immediate for participants, Prescod believes the project could have a positive impact on future generations by providing tailored health solutions.