Color of Genes

Our Mission: At Color of Genes™, we understand the differences in health outcomes facing marginalized populations caused from medical and scientific racism and other forms of discrimination that drive health inequities. To address this, we engage Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as other marginalized communities historically known to be underserved in the delivery of genetic carrier screening, genetic diagnostic testing, genetic counseling, and other health-related services, by providing BIPOC patients with a path to qualified and licensed BIPOC genetic health providers and genetic counselors of their choice when they need it, where they need it, and in a timely manner, across the United States. We achieve this by enabling access to our national online Genetic Health Directory, established for a patient-centered approach to genetic healthcare access and delivery with a model for increasing engagement with genetic health providers and genetic counselors to meet patient's needs, leading to improved health outcomes.

Our Commitment: Enable access to genetic health services to patients, especially those known to be historically underserved, as well as provide patient and provider communities with genetic health information about risk factors contributing to genetic health conditions (such as genes, genetic variation, and genetic ancestry) to help make more informed health-related decisions that lead to improved health outcomes. While our focus is on BIPOC communities, our national network enables patients with access to a wide range of genetic health providers and genetic counselors who are both BIPOC and non-BIPOC by supplying browsable categories, which include: BIPOC and non-BIPOC, languages spoken, geographic locations, health insurances, and genetic health practice areas.

Our Expertise: Lead efforts to reduce and eventually eradicate health inequities facing BIPOC patients by building on our diversity and health equity initiatives to ensure BIPOC patients have a pathway to educational genetic health articles, evidence-based genomic and genetic resources, answers to frequently asked questions to guide genetic health decision-making, and access to culturally-conscious genetic health services which include: Cancer Genetics, Cardiac Genetics, Clinical Genetics, Genetic Health Risks, Hematologic Genetics, Metabolic Genetics, Neurogenetics, Nutrigenetics, Ophthalmic Genetics, Pediatric Genetics, Psychiatric Genetics, and Reproductive Genetics.

Our Goals: Promote optimal health, increase patient engagement with genetic providers and genetic counselors, reduce and prevent health burdens (such as risk factors, diseases, and disorders), improve human health, and increase awareness about hereditary disease risks (centered on BIPOC communities known to be historically underserved in human genetics).

Important Facts

Health inequities disproportionately affect marginalized communities, namely racially and ethnically minoritized individuals. These include BIPOC and other disadvantaged individuals living in the United States with ancestral origins from all over the world, including mixed and multi-ancestries. These disparities lead to undue health burdens, including preventable disease risks and diagnoses.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new analysis shows that certain minoritized groups, namely younger Blacks in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, are living with or dying from many diseases typically found in Whites at older ages. Also, research shows that language, geography, culture, race, and ethnicity affect adequate access to healthcare services leading to disparate health outcomes for BIPOC individuals.

At Color of Genes™, we want to eliminate health inequities, especially for BIPOC and other marginalized individuals and their families. We strive to achieve this by focusing on patient preferences and their needs.

Inequities in healthcare systems across the United States (and other systems, such as medical, political, legal, and societal) impact patient care, increase medical costs, and accelerate inequitable access to health-promoting resources. All leading to health risks and contributing to increased morbidities, co-morbidities, and mortalities among BIPOC and other minoritized individuals.

At Color of Genes™, we aim to reduce and eventually eliminate health inequities impacting BIPOC and other minoritized individuals. We achieve this by equipping BIPOC patients with a path to a network of culturally-conscious BIPOC genetic health providers of their choice when they need it, where they need it, and in a timely manner, including access to evidence-based resources. Reach out to us to get started on your path to precision health.

We encourage you to peruse our website to access targeted resources, connect with a genetic health provider or genetic counselor, and access a wide range of genetic health articles and FAQs.