Family health–based genetic risk screening in primary care
Deploying a genomic-medicine risk assessment model for primary care populations
This project uses people's family health history plus easy-to-use tools to find primary care patients who might benefit from genetic testing and follow-up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11189629 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would enter your family health history into a literacy-friendly tool that helps collect and organize information from relatives. The system links family-collected data through social-network-style features, runs risk algorithms, and connects eligible patients to genetic testing and clear follow-up recommendations integrated into the clinic's electronic health record. The team will work with primary care clinics to deploy this end-to-end approach so patients can complete parts at home or during visits. The goal is to make it simpler for families and doctors to spot hereditary risks and act on them.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adult primary-care patients (and their family members) who can provide family health information or are interested in genetic risk screening.
Not a fit: People who cannot access participating primary-care clinics, do not want to share family health details, or whose conditions are not related to inherited risk may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make genetic risk identification more common and accessible, leading to earlier prevention or treatment for people with hereditary conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous family health history programs have shown that about 25% of unselected patients meet criteria for actionable hereditary risk, though combining family networking, a literacy-focused interface, and on-site genetic testing delivery is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haga, Susanne — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Haga, Susanne
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.