By making genetic tests more available and affordable, employers and insurers can capitalize and improve employee wellbeing. Genomics can be added to employee benefits and incorporated into insurance products to further champion this noble cause.
Everyone is affected by cancer in some way, either they know someone or they themselves are the victim of cancer. All humans are exposed to 40 percent chances of developing cancer in their lifetime and 22 percent of all deaths are caused by cancer.
New genetic discoveries are published weekly leading to new treatments, disease prevention, less drug side effects, and improved health. Genomics is already being used in clinical practice in certain settings as mandated by various clinical guidelines.
Even though our germline DNA remains fairly constant, some changes occur with aging like Alzheimer's disease or illnesses. End lines of our chromosomes called telomeres shorten over time and this is associated with increased mortality.
This month's column is all about consider adding genetic testing products into employee benefits or insurance products. You need to be able to explain the benefits of genetic testing and show how the risks can be mitigated.
You get the genetics tested through your employee benefits program with the hope that this will improve your health. The obvious question comes to the mind is whether there is a mutation or variant or how accurate is the genetic testing.
