Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices
Abstract Background Employer‐sponsored corporate wellness programs have spread despite limited evidence of effectiveness in improving health or reducing costs. Some programs have offered genetic testing as a benefit to employees, but little is known about this practice. Methods In December 2019, we...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2020-10-01
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| Series: | Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.1414 |
| _version_ | 1797300979249446912 |
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| author | Whitney S. McDonald Jennifer K. Wagner Patricia A. Deverka Laura A. Woods Josh F. Peterson Marc S. Williams |
| author_facet | Whitney S. McDonald Jennifer K. Wagner Patricia A. Deverka Laura A. Woods Josh F. Peterson Marc S. Williams |
| author_sort | Whitney S. McDonald |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Employer‐sponsored corporate wellness programs have spread despite limited evidence of effectiveness in improving health or reducing costs. Some programs have offered genetic testing as a benefit to employees, but little is known about this practice. Methods In December 2019, we conducted a systematic Google search to identify vendors offering corporate wellness programs involving genetics. We performed qualitative content analysis of publicly available information about the vendors’ products and practices disclosed on their websites. Results Fifteen vendors were identified. Details regarding genetic testing offered within wellness programs were difficult to decipher from vendors’ websites, including which specific products were included. No evidence was provided to support vendor claimed improvements in employer costs, employee health, and job performance. Only half offered health and genetic counseling services. Most vendors were ambiguous regarding data sharing. Disclaimer language was included in vendors’ stated risks and limitations, ostensibly to avoid oversight and liability. Conclusion We found a lack of transparency among corporate wellness program vendors, underscoring challenges that stakeholders encounter when trying to assess (a) how such programs are using genetics, (b) the potential benefits of such applications, and (c) the adequacy of protections to ensure scientific evidence support any health claims and genetic nondiscrimination. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:15:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ac8475cec8546649252ee72e47f2dd9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2324-9269 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:15:45Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ac8475cec8546649252ee72e47f2dd92024-02-21T12:03:03ZengWileyMolecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine2324-92692020-10-01810n/an/a10.1002/mgg3.1414Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practicesWhitney S. McDonald0Jennifer K. Wagner1Patricia A. Deverka2Laura A. Woods3Josh F. Peterson4Marc S. Williams5Genomic Medicine Institute Geisinger Forty Fort PA USACenter for Translational Bioethics & Health Care Policy Geisinger Danville PA USAGeisinger Research North Bethesda MD USAVanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville TN USADepartment of Biomedical Informatics and Medicine Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville TN USAGenomic Medicine Institute Geisinger Danville PA USAAbstract Background Employer‐sponsored corporate wellness programs have spread despite limited evidence of effectiveness in improving health or reducing costs. Some programs have offered genetic testing as a benefit to employees, but little is known about this practice. Methods In December 2019, we conducted a systematic Google search to identify vendors offering corporate wellness programs involving genetics. We performed qualitative content analysis of publicly available information about the vendors’ products and practices disclosed on their websites. Results Fifteen vendors were identified. Details regarding genetic testing offered within wellness programs were difficult to decipher from vendors’ websites, including which specific products were included. No evidence was provided to support vendor claimed improvements in employer costs, employee health, and job performance. Only half offered health and genetic counseling services. Most vendors were ambiguous regarding data sharing. Disclaimer language was included in vendors’ stated risks and limitations, ostensibly to avoid oversight and liability. Conclusion We found a lack of transparency among corporate wellness program vendors, underscoring challenges that stakeholders encounter when trying to assess (a) how such programs are using genetics, (b) the potential benefits of such applications, and (c) the adequacy of protections to ensure scientific evidence support any health claims and genetic nondiscrimination.https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.1414ELSIemployeesGINApopulation geneticswellness |
| spellingShingle | Whitney S. McDonald Jennifer K. Wagner Patricia A. Deverka Laura A. Woods Josh F. Peterson Marc S. Williams Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine ELSI employees GINA population genetics wellness |
| title | Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices |
| title_full | Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices |
| title_fullStr | Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices |
| title_short | Genetic testing and employer‐sponsored wellness programs: An overview of current vendors, products, and practices |
| title_sort | genetic testing and employer sponsored wellness programs an overview of current vendors products and practices |
| topic | ELSI employees GINA population genetics wellness |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.1414 |
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