Genomedical Connection (Greensborough, NC) seeks to introduce genomic medicine into the healthcare system. It is their belief that this can be accomplished by a multifaceted project—with an educational component—targeted at community, physicians, and patients, and a clinical introduction of genomic medicine services and research. GC has targeted three disease groups: breast/ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and thrombophilia, with an anticipated expansion into other common diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

In December of 2005, Genomedical Connection launched their Community Education Program. The plan started with information-gathering, including a community needs assessment to identify regional barriers to collecting an accurate family heath history. With the help of focus groups at the University of North Carolina, Greensborough (UNCG), Genomedical Connection’s initial needs assessment sought to identify the community’s attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of genomic medicine.

The initial assessment’s results showed a clear need for information in the community. Genomedical Connection sought to educate the community through phone interviews, health fairs, informative presentations, patient education materials, and availability of online resources. Furthermore, it was determined that the link between heredity and genetic health was least understood by church-going women over the age of 50. Based on these results, Genomedical Connection, together with UNCG, began their “Kin Keepers” program. The plan sought to educate that age group and others with family members and demographically-similar teachers.

To expand the reach of the Kin Keepers program, Genomedical Connection has collaborated with regional community organizations that have healthcare coordinators. These organizations have come to include eight churches and two military reserve units, totaling some 9,000 people that will be partnering with Genomedical Connection; all of whom have been invited to join a Community Advisory Committee to help formalize their collaborative intent.

Currently, Genomedical Connection hopes to increase its exposure in the community by packaging and distributing its own Guide to Family Health History, A Guide to Understanding Genetics and Health, a healthcare provider card, a family health history questionnaire, and the Does it Run in the Family? toolkit at educational events. Their goals with the CCFHH toolkit include:

Through analysis of community distribution of educational materials, Genomedical Connection will determine how best to customize all of their family health history literature based on demographic response. The effectiveness of the literature—per program—will be further analyzed by focus groups on whether they are comprehensive, useful, persuasive, and attractive, as well as their propensity to motivate and facilitate questions and understanding of family heath histories.