After nearly a decade, Qatar continues to have a pioneering role in developing the Arab region’s precision health infrastructure.
The year 2023 was the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the DNA double helix and the 20th anniversary of the completion of the Human Genome Project. These anniversaries mark the progress towards the ability to deliver personalised, effective healthcare to all. Research teams around the world are making significant progress in translational genomics projects that have the power to transform healthcare globally by enabling a shift from reactive to preventive care.
What is precision health?
Precision health is a rapidly evolving field that is transforming healthcare globally. Healthcare treatments are tailored to your unique genetic profile and lifestyle choices, maximising their effectiveness and minimising side effects.
Previously, clinical practice relied on a one-size-fits-all approach, treating diseases with broad-spectrum therapies. However, with precision health, there is a more individualised approach. Analysing a patient’s genes, environment and lifestyle, which are relevant to our health and disease history, allows doctors to can gain a deeper understanding of a patient’s specific condition and their likely response to treatment.
Doctors can now implement targeted preventive measures for their patients, including pharmacogenomics – customised treatments based on understanding how an individual’s genetic profile affects their responses to drugs. Prescribing precise drugs at precise doses to meet the unique needs of each patient is a significant difference compared to traditional healthcare.
One of the key benefits of precision health is its potential to shift healthcare from a reactive to a proactive model by identifying individuals at high risk for specific diseases based on their genetic makeup. Tailored screening protocols can help physicians initiate early detection and intervention strategies, potentially preventing disease progression.
Precision Health in Qatar
Qatar has been pioneering precision health in the region for nearly a decade. The country aims to transform the way clinical screening is done for hereditary conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and autism, including screening for variants specific to the populations of both Qatar and the wider Middle Eastern region.
Arab populations have historically been underrepresented in genomic research due to a lack of datasets, a gap that is prevalent in current studies that focus on gene pools from Western countries. With genetic diagnosis based on actual population data, results are likely to be more relevant and accurate, leading to improved healthcare outcomes for the people of Qatar and the region.
Precision health’s personalised approaches to treatment and prevention have the potential to revolutionise the cost and effectiveness of public healthcare on a global scale. Using the insights gained from genetic and lifestyle data, healthcare providers can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health, ultimately leading to healthier lives and a healthier society.
With the rapid advancements in technology, our understanding of the human genome will continue to grow, giving endless possibilities for precision health. With Qatar’s commitment to bringing these personalised therapies and preventative strategies into clinical settings, the positive impact will be felt through a better quality of life and wellbeing.
About Qatar Precision Health Institute
Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI) is a national centre for research and implementation and part of Qatar Foundation. Its primary focus is to enhance precision healthcare quality and value through comprehensive study of genomics and multi-omics (a biological analysis approach in which the data sets are multiple ‘omes’, eg the genome, proteome, transcriptome, epigenome, metabolome, and microbiome).
QPHI was conceptualised to leverage more than 10 years of valuable data collection, research, and ecosystem development accomplished by Qatar Biobank and Qatar Genome. The goal is to lead in preventing and curing health issues through personalised approaches, and empower and enable precision health practices leading to healthy and vibrant communities.
For more information about the Qatar Precision Health Institute, please visit their website: qf.org.qa/research/qatar-precision-health-institute
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