The Silent Genomes project aims to elucidate and address the health inequities faced by Canadian Indigenous populations when accessing genomic technologies for the diagnosis of genetic diseases. Through collaboration with the First Nations Health Authority and consultation with Indigenous community members and health professionals, PACER is developing culturally informed qualitative methods for genomic research. In addition, PACER is investigating the diagnostic odyssey in terms of time, cost, and health resource utilization for First Nations and non-Indigenous children who have received services for the diagnosis of a gene-linked disease in British Columbia.
Project funding announcement: https://www.genomecanada.ca/en/silent-genomes-reducing-health-care-disparities-and-improving-diagnostic-success-indigenous-children
CBC news article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/silent-genome-project-unbc-1.4501167