In her decade-long tenure as a healthcare executive, Cheryl Prescod has witnessed firsthand how Black Canadians can feel marginalized by the one-size-fits-all approach often adopted by the national healthcare system. Serving as the executive director at the Black Creek Community Health Center in Toronto’s Jane and Finch area, Prescod caters to a diverse client base, notably comprising a significant number of Black and racialized individuals who struggle to access healthcare services that respect their cultural background.
Certain health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and triple-negative breast cancer, disproportionately affect Black individuals. Commencing on February 1, a group of researchers from Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia will initiate the genCARE project. This initiative aims to analyze the genetic makeup of over 10,000 Black Canadians with these specific diseases, as well as individuals without underlying medical issues. Genome Canada is funding the project, with hopes that the findings will guide targeted treatment strategies and lead to more equitable healthcare outcomes devoid of racial bias.
Prescod emphasized the importance of including Black populations in genetic research, highlighting that less than five percent of global genetic studies incorporate data from Black individuals, potentially rendering study findings ineffective for this demographic. She envisions leveraging the research outcomes to enhance the management of health conditions for her patients at Black Creek.
Dr. Upton Allen, the administrative lead of genCARE, envisions a future where patients’ genetic composition and other factors are factored into their diagnosis and treatment plans—known as precision medicine. Overcoming historical discrimination against Black communities poses a significant challenge for project researchers, particularly in recruiting the necessary thousands of participants.
The project represents a unique effort in Canada solely focused on Black populations. Dr. Allen, also a prominent figure at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, collaborated with the Black Creek Community Health Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership aimed to address vaccine hesitancy and distrust in healthcare systems within Black communities due to entrenched systemic discrimination.
Ivan Ho, a diabetes educator at the health center, emphasized the prevalent biases and misconceptions surrounding health issues within Black communities. While some attribute conditions like diabetes solely to lifestyle choices, Ho underscored the influence of uncontrollable factors like housing insecurity and food scarcity on health outcomes.
Dr. Gavin Oudit, a cardiology professor at the University of Alberta, commended the genCARE project for its potential to enhance disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment. He noted the inadequacy of genetic databases in accurately representing racialized populations, leading to subpar testing outcomes for individuals of Black or Indigenous heritage.
To ensure the success of the project and foster trust among participants, researchers pledge to handle DNA data anonymously, store it securely within Canada, and share study outcomes with community members transparently. Collaborating with community ambassadors during the pandemic, the project team engaged in outreach efforts to explain the research purpose and encourage participation, building essential trust within the Black Creek community.
Dr. Allen outlined recruitment strategies, indicating that participants would be sourced from community health centers, doctors’ offices, and hospitals, with plans to include children in the project’s subsequent phases. Although immediate benefits may not materialize for participants, Prescod remains optimistic about the long-term impact the genCARE project could offer to future generations, underscoring the importance of inclusive and timely healthcare initiatives.