Effect of Direct‐to‐Consumer Genetic Tests on Health Behaviour and Anxiety: A Survey of Consumers and Potential Consumers

Abstract

Direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) genetic tests can be purchased over the internet. Some companies claim to provide relative genetic risks for various diseases and thus encourage healthy behaviour. There are concerns that exposure to such information may actually discourage healthy behaviour or increase health anxiety. An online survey was conducted (n = 275). Respondents were composed of individuals who had purchased a DTC genetic test and received their results (consumers, n = 189), as well as individuals who were either awaiting test results or considering purchasing a test (potential consumers, n = 86). Consumers were asked if their health behaviour or health anxiety had changed after receiving their results. Respondents’ current health behaviour and health anxiety were queried and compared. In total, 27.3 % of consumers claimed a change in health behaviour, all either positive or neutral, with no reported cessation of any existing health behaviour. A change in health anxiety was claimed by 24.6 % of consumers, 85.3 % of which were a reduction. Consumers had significantly better health behaviour scores than potential consumers (p = 0.02), with no significant difference in health anxiety. This study points towards an association between receipt of DTC genetic test results and increased adoption of healthy behaviours for a minority of consumers based on self‐report, with more mixed results in relation to health anxiety.

Attitudes towards Personal Genomics and Sharing of Genetic Data among Older Swiss Adults: A Qualitative Study

“…Not only have technological developments led to immense reductions in costs, they have also enabled the sequencing of the human genome in less time [5]. Accordingly, commercial companies sensed the potential and have started to offer direct-to-consumer personal genomics (DTC-PG) [8, 9]. These companies are offering personal genetic risk profiles and genomic testing outside the traditional healthcare systems and clinical settings [8, 9].…”

“…Accordingly, commercial companies sensed the potential and have started to offer direct-to-consumer personal genomics (DTC-PG) [8, 9]. These companies are offering personal genetic risk profiles and genomic testing outside the traditional healthcare systems and clinical settings [8, 9]. Via their websites, saliva-based tests can be purchased and based on the returned samples, selected single nucleotide polymorphisms are scanned for a variety of different complex diseases [8, 10].…”

“…Citizens will become empowered to make informed decisions on health and treatment, to improve their health behavior with regard to diseases which were identified through the DTC-PG tests [8, 12]. Furthermore, they believe that DTC-PG tests will enhance the autonomy of citizens since the tests are providing the customer with valuable information [13].…”

“…Discussions differ over whether DTC-PG risk information would improve health behavior and disease prevention or might result in psychological distress and will ultimately lead to increased healthcare consumption for clarifying tests. First results based on populations of early adopters indicate increased healthcare consumption [18], diverse findings in terms of behavior change and self-efficacy [19-21] and differing levels of understanding of genetic information, and increasing anxiety based on demographics, literacy, and education [22, 23]. Some argue, in order to help the customer and to minimize misunderstanding, the commercial companies should provide adequate information regarding genetic counseling and what it means.…”

Promoting healthy dietary behaviour through personalised nutrition: technology push or technology pull?

“…Meanwhile, there is a growing body of evidence for the effectiveness of tailored feedback in bringing about healthy behaviour change (3)(4)(5)(6) . Surveys of D-T-C services have suggested that they are effective in producing healthy behaviour change in approximately one-third of users (7)(8)(9)(10) . Awareness of D-T-C genetic tests is increasing among consumers (11) .…”