Addressing differential impacts on populations at risk
Accessibility is central to the Canada Health Act. The pandemic truly shone a light on the differential accessibility of Canadian health systems. It showcased the inequities that still exist in health system accessibility and usability and health outcomes. Genomics technologies are increasingly important in delivering better health. Precision health is undoubtedly the future of healthcare. Genome Canada and the Enterprise are supporting health equity as part of this shift to precision health. Our work includes supporting equitable access and outcomes for racialized women with breast cancer through risk-based screening and epigenomics; improving diagnosis, early detection and treatment courses for bipolar disorder (where racialized Canadians are more likely to be mis- or undiagnosed); and interrogating big data sets to understand differential impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians. Acknowledging, analyzing and addressing health and health system inequities through genomics is leading the way on equitable precision health for the future.
With collaboration across the Canadian Genomics Enterprise.