Bradford Hill Seminar – Tackling Bias and Inequities in Health and Genomic Data - Dr Maxine Mackintosh, Genomics England

Wed 31 May 2023

MRC Biostatistics Unit

All are invited to the hybrid Bradford Hill Seminar 'Tackling Bias and Inequities in Health and Genomic Data' with Dr Maxine Mackintosh of the Diverse Data Initiative at Genomics England.

Abstract
Data and digital technology are now being used in all aspects of research, innovation and healthcare, but how do we ensure that the entire healthcare system benefits from these advanced technologies, specifically so that all people, especially those in underserved populations, receive the same quality of research benefit and care from innovations? This talk will discuss the intersection of data science, health and equity, illustrated by the inequities rife in genomics. Studies of human genetics have largely focused on populations from WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, Democratic) countries which has resulted genomic insights that are not generalizable to all populations. Most studies, trials and papers conclude with a call to action to recruit and use more diverse genomes, and yet the proportion of non-European ancestries in genomic studies is diminishing.

To address this gap, we must work across the whole pipeline of genomic research and health care delivery, from the populations we work with and the data we collect, to the analyses we carry out and the availability of genetic testing. This talk will cover the complex challenges taking an end-to-end approach to diversifying health and genomic data involves, and what we might do to reduce bias in our data-driven systems in precision medicine – something Maxine and her team are trying to do via the Diverse Data initiative at Genomics England.