During her decade-long tenure as a healthcare executive, Cheryl Prescod has witnessed the challenges faced by Black Canadians within the healthcare system due to its generalized approach. Serving as the executive director at the Black Creek Community Health Centre in Toronto’s Jane and Finch neighborhood, Prescod caters to a diverse clientele, including a significant number of Black and racialized individuals who struggle to access culturally sensitive and safe healthcare.
Black Canadians are disproportionately affected by specific illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and triple-negative breast cancer. A collaborative effort involving researchers from Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia is commencing the genCARE project on February 1. This initiative aims to analyze the genomes of over 10,000 Black Canadians diagnosed with these conditions along with individuals without any pre-existing medical issues.
Funded by Genome Canada, the project leaders anticipate that their discoveries will guide targeted treatment and preventive measures while fostering equitable and anti-racist health outcomes.
“If we are not there, we will not be counted,” remarked Prescod, emphasizing the importance of inclusion in finding solutions.
Prescod highlighted that less than five percent of genetic studies globally include data from Black individuals, potentially rendering the findings irrelevant for them. She is optimistic that the research outcomes will empower her to assist patients at Black Creek in better managing their health conditions.
Dr. Upton Allen, the administrative lead of the genCARE project, envisions incorporating a patient’s genetic profile and other factors into diagnosis and treatment, known as precision medicine. This approach aims to deepen the understanding of disease susceptibility and severity variation among individuals, potentially leading to tailored treatment solutions.
Overcoming mistrust
Allen acknowledged the historical discrimination against Black communities that has fostered mistrust towards medical institutions. This poses a challenge in recruiting the thousands of participants required for the project.
“This is the only project of its kind that is focused