Public Awareness of Genetic Influence on Chronic Disease Risk: Are Genetic and Lifestyle Causal Beliefs Compatible?
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چکیده
Background/Aims: There is concern that raising awareness about the role of genetics in chronic disease etiology could undermine public belief that lifestyles are important, leading to adverse effects on public health. We tested the hypothesis that people who believe genetics influence chronic disease risk are less likely to believe lifestyles play a role. Methods: Open-ended questions about cancer and heart disease risk factors were included in a population-based survey of 1,747 British adults. Responses were coded for causal beliefs about genetics and lifestyle (smoking, diet, alcohol, exercise). Results: One third of the respondents identified genetic factors as influencing cancer (35%) and heart disease (36%) risk. Identifying genetic risk was associated with female gender, older age and education for both diseases, as well as with family history for heart disease. Individuals identifying genetic influences on cancer risk were more likely to identify diet (p ! 0.001) and exercise (p ! 0.05), and mentioned more lifestyle factors overall (p ! 0.05), independent of demographics and family history. Patterns were similar for heart disease. Conclusion: People who recognize that gePublished online: April 29, 2010 Saskia C. Sanderson, PhD Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Atran Berg Laboratory Building Floor 1, 1428 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10029 (USA) Tel. +1 212 241 8375, Fax +1 212 36
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Public awareness of genetic influence on chronic disease risk: are genetic and lifestyle causal beliefs compatible?
BACKGROUND/AIMS There is concern that raising awareness about the role of genetics in chronic disease etiology could undermine public belief that lifestyles are important, leading to adverse effects on public health. We tested the hypothesis that people who believe genetics influence chronic disease risk are less likely to believe lifestyles play a role. METHODS Open-ended questions about can...
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