Awareness of genetic testing and its impact on changing behavior among general population of U.S - Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 2022).

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to determine the frequency of genetic testing awareness, the number of individuals who have undergone genetic testing, and the subsequent behavior changes following testing.

Methods: The analysis utilized recent data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 6, collected between March and September 2022, from a diverse sample of adults aged 18 and older. Logistic regressions were applied to assess predictors of outcome variables. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Among the 4,631 respondents, 81.6% reported being aware of genetic testing, 28.7% (n = 1,327) had undergone some form of testing, and 16.3% of those tested reported making behavioral changes based on their results. Ancestry-related genetic testing was the most widely recognized and frequently utilized. However, behavioral changes were most commonly reported among individuals who underwent disease-specific genetic testing, especially those who perceived themselves to be at high risk, were motivated to take preventive measures, and received assistance in understanding their results. Within this subgroup, lifestyle modification was the most frequently cited change, followed by adjustments in dietary supplement use, increased health screenings, and changes to medications. Additionally, individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups were more likely than non-Hispanic White respondents to undergo specific types of genetic testing and to report behavior changes in response to the findings.

Conclusion: The study highlights an increasing awareness and involvement in genetic testing, though a smaller percentage of individuals have altered their behavior based on the test results. Additionally, the study identifies genetic literacy as a key factor in predicting behavior changes.