# Investigating Latinx populations’ attitudes, perceptions, and use of genomic testing

> **NIH NIH F99** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2022 · $36,608

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Genomic medicine has transformed prevention, care, and targeted medical regiments through the milestone
achievements of Human Genome Project and the advent of genetic testing for health purposes. Germline
genetic testing focused on hereditary risk, the focus of this proposal, can include various types and purposeful
testing like carrier screening, newborn screening, and cancer predisposition testing, etc. This tests have
already enabled genetic providers to improve health outcomes for many with increased screening
recommendations, prevention efforts (chemoprevention), and behavioral change recommendations. However,
the diffusion of genetic testing for underserved groups, specifically Latinx (gender neutral use of Latino/a/e)
groups, remains a major challenge. Despite a strong interest in using genetic testing, there remains a dearth of
research on facilitating and barrier factors for Latinx populations. Thus, the goal of this proposal is to
empirically examine Latinx individuals' experiences with genetic testing, their attitudes, and identify perceived
facilitators and barriers to testing. In particular, I will characterize salient attitudes, facilitators, and barriers of
Latinx individuals towards genetic testing for health purposes using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods
design (Aim 1). The first phase of the study (Aim 1A) will characterize salient attitudes, facilitators, and
barriers of 20 Latinx individuals towards genetic testing for health purposes using semistructured elicitation
interviews. The sample will be stratified by previous experience with genetic testing, and those who have not
tested as was to better characterize attitudes, facilitators and barriers that differ between these groups.
Interviews will center on questions of attitudes, perceived norms, and personal agency inclusive of facilitators
and barriers. Results will then guide the next phase of the research (Aim 1B). In this phase, I will examine the
associations of attitudes, facilitators, and barriers with intentions related to carrier screening and cancer
predisposition testing for a Latinx population. Specifically, using wording from interviews, I will design a survey
focused on attitudes, facilitators, and barriers and administer the survey on a Qualtrics Panels with 500 Latinx
individuals. Using Structural Equation Modeling, I will then test the associations between attitude, facilitators,
and barrier factors with behavioral intention to both carrier screening and cancer predisposition testing to
determine which may be the best factors for intervention. Building upon the F99 results, in the postdoctoral
phase I will utilize findings about attitudes, facilitators, and barriers to develop translational intervention
research to engage Latinx populations in genetic testing (Aim 2). The goal of my postdoctoral research training
developing culturally appropriate communication strategies to improve genetics engagement for Latinx
populations. Through a m...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10464378
- **Project number:** 1F99HG012487-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel Chavez-Yenter
- **Activity code:** F99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $36,608
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-16 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10464378

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10464378, Investigating Latinx populations’ attitudes, perceptions, and use of genomic testing (1F99HG012487-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10464378. Licensed CC0.

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