The Cultural Lens of Genomics
In: Selected Rand abstracts: a guide to RAND publications, Band 13, Heft 1
ISSN: 1091-3734
Cultural diversity continues to increase in many countries around the world. In the United States this diversity has increased significantly over the past decade. It is essential that healthcare professionals provide genomic-focused care in a culturally sensitive manner, recognizing and respecting the cultural values and beliefs of each and every patient. The purpose of this article is to increase healthcare providers' awareness of basic cultural values that can influence the decisions made by members of diverse patient populations. This article will describe the concepts of culture, race, ethnicity, ethno-culture, and genetic diseases in specific populations. In addition, it will discuss ethno-cultural values of Hispanics, African Americans/Blacks, Native American Indians or Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders that may influence patient and family responses to genomic healthcare, noting the need to incorporate an ethno-cultural lens in assessing patients and providing genomic interventions for them. The article will conclude with recommendations for providing care to diverse populations.