What You Should Know:
– The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Helix, the leading precision health organization in the nation, are launching the largest precision health initiative in Ohio, aimed at driving better health outcomes and more personalized care for all individuals in the state.
– The program, named Ohio State Genomic Health, will enroll 100,000 participants over four years and will provide important information about potential risks for health conditions by screening for variants in genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer and high cholesterol. Nationwide, nearly five million people are at an increased risk for one of these conditions.
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Partners with Helix to Launch Innovative Genomic Health Initiative
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, offers comprehensive health care services across virtually every specialty and subspecialty in medicine. Thousands of patients seek treatments and services each month that are not available elsewhere. Central to the center’s mission of research, education, and patient care is the commitment to providing access to vital health care information. The center is dedicated to improving health in Ohio and globally through innovations in research, education, patient care, and community engagement.
“This partnership will expand and accelerate research across Ohio State focused on understanding mechanisms underlying human disease as well as development of diagnostics and treatments for patients. This is a critical platform for prevention and treatment,” said Peter Mohler, PhD, executive vice president for Research, Innovation and Knowledge at The Ohio State University, and chief scientific officer at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
In collaboration with Helix, Ohio State will utilize Helix’s proprietary Exome+Ⓡ assay and the Sequence Once, Query OftenⓇ model to conduct whole exome sequencing and interpret specific genes related to ordered tests. Helix will store participants’ genetic information for future clinical use, enabling health care providers, with patient permission, to order future genetic tests without needing additional DNA samples. This will provide ongoing genetic insights into patient health throughout their lifetime.
Key elements of the partnership include:
– Preventive and Early Detection: Participants can use genetic information to help prevent diseases or detect them at earlier, more treatable stages.
– Community Health: The research program will enable the identification of disproportionate health risks, allowing for the development of proactive health programs for the broader community.
– Long-term Benefits: Stored genetic information facilitates future medically necessary genetic tests, ensuring continuous access to genetic insights.
Ohio State joins Helix’s distinguished group of health system partners in launching precision health initiatives nationwide. Participation in the Ohio State Genomic Health initiative will be optional and at no cost, with further details to be provided to Ohio residents before its official launch later this year.
