Faculty Collaboration Database

Does Lack of "Genetic-Relative Family Health History" Represent a Potentially Avoidable Health Disparity for Adoptees? Am J Bioeth 2016 Dec;16(12):33-38

Date

12/03/2016

Pubmed ID

27901440

DOI

10.1080/15265161.2016.1240255

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85000819171 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   26 Citations

Abstract

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 HD

Authors

Arthur R. Derse MD, JD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Kaija Zusevics PhD, MPH Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adoption
Genetics
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Medical History Taking
Parents
Risk