Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2024
Original Citation
Charnysh E,
Pal S,
Reader J,
Uhlmann W,
McCain S,
Sanghavi K,
Blasco D,
Brandt R,
Feero W,
Ferber R,
Giri V,
Hendy K,
Prince A,
Lee C,
Roberts J,
.
Health care utilization and behavior changes after workplace genetic testing at a large US health care system. Genet Med. 2024;26(8):101160.
Keywords
JGM, Humans, Female, Male, Adult, Workplace, Genetic Testing, Middle Aged, United States, Health Behavior, Patient Acceptance of Health Care, Neoplasms, Surveys and Questionnaires, Delivery of Health Care, Heart Diseases
JAX Source
Genet Med. 2024;26(8):101160.
ISSN
1530-0366
PMID
38733246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gim.2024.101160
Grant
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Human Genome Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01 HG010679 (to C.L. and J.S.R.)
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study explored employee health behavior changes and health care utilization after workplace genetic testing (wGT). Wellness-program-associated wGT seeks to improve employee health, but the related health implications are unknown.
METHODS: Employees of a large US health care system offering wGT (cancer, heart disease, and pharmacogenomics [PGx]) were sent electronic surveys. Self-reported data from those who received test results were analyzed. Descriptive statistics characterized responses, whereas logistic regression analyses explored correlates of responses to wGT.
RESULTS: 53.9% (n = 418/776) of respondents (88.3% female, mean age = 44 years) reported receiving wGT results. 12.0% (n = 48/399) received results indicating increased risk (IR) of cancer, 9.5% (n = 38/398) had IR of heart disease, and 31.4% (n = 125/398) received informative PGx results. IR results for cancer and/or heart disease (n = 67) were associated with health behavior changes (adjusted odds ratio: 3.23; 95% CI 1.75, 6.13; P < .001) and health care utilization (adjusted odds ratio: 8.60; 95% CI 4.43, 17.5; P < .001). Informative PGx results (n = 125) were associated with medication changes (PGx-informative: 15.2%; PGx-uninformative: 4.8%; P = .002).
CONCLUSION: This study explored employee responses to wGT, contributing to the understanding of the ethical and social implications of wGT. Receiving IR results from wGT may promote health behavior changes and health care utilization in employees.
Creative Commons License
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