Does Lack of "Genetic-Relative Family Health History" Represent a Potentially Avoidable Health Disparity for Adoptees? Am J Bioeth 2016 12;16(12):33-38
Date
12/03/2016Pubmed ID
27901440DOI
10.1080/15265161.2016.1240255Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85000819171 17 CitationsAbstract
Many adoptees face a number of challenges relating to separation from biological parents during the adoption process, including issues concerning identity, intimacy, attachment, and trust, as well as (for older adopted children) language and other cultural challenges. One common health challenge faced by adoptees involves lack of access to genetic-relative family health history (GRFHx). Lack of GRFHx represents a disadvantage due to a reduced capacity to identify diseases and recommend appropriate screening for conditions for which the adopted person may be at increased risk. In this article, we draw out common features of traditionally understood "health disparities" in order to identify analogous features in the context of adoptees' lack of GRFHx.
Author List
May T, Strong KA, Zusevics KL, Jeruzal J, Farrell MH, LaPean Kirschner A, Derse AR, Evans JP, Grotevant HDAuthors
Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinKaija Zusevics PhD, MPH Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdoptionGenetics
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Medical History Taking
Parents
Risk
