Cohort: Black peoples in Canada with chronic disease

This sequencing project will help us better understand why chronic diseases, including hypertension, adult-onset diabetes and triple-negative breast cancer, disproportionately impact Black Canadians.

Abstract: We are embarking on a transformational project to sequence 10,000 genomes (short reads) from Black people, including African Nova Scotian communities in Canada, with a focus on the clinical phenotypes of hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and triple- negative breast cancer. In addition to these 10,000 genomes, we will also study an additional 1,100 genomes using long read sequencing. We have a long-standing history of community engagement and have established community advisory groups. We will address the intersectionality of social and structural determinants of health (SSDOH) in our research. By integrating SSDOH, we seek to deepen our understanding of the impacts of selected chronic disorders on the health, morbidity, and mortality of Black peoples, ultimately contributing to more anti-racist equitable health outcomes. Our team has successfully identified a cohort of over 3,000 participants from previous COVID-19 studies who have consented to be re-contacted, demonstrating our deep-rooted trust and engagement within these communities. This foundation enables us to effectively recruit and execute this large-scale genomic project. Additionally, genomes of people of African ancestry have already been sequenced by our team members, providing a crucial foundation for our ongoing efforts. Our collaboration with core genomic facilities enhances our research capabilities, ensuring comprehensive bioinformatics and associated analyses. Furthermore, our strong connections with international networks will amplify the global relevance of our work.