Our Voice on Genomics in healthcare

The aim was to explore the perspectives, attitudes, hopes, fears and dreams amongst global majority communities with regards to the use of genomics in healthcare. We adapted "The Good Ancestor" methodology to promote longterm-thinking-mindset. The Good Ancestor methodology involves a six-stage structured process where participants consider their past, present and future – and through this could consider what it means to be good ancestors in the context of genomics. The method was selected to empower communities and ensure the conversation could move beyond current, relatively negative experiences of healthcare and embrace hopes for a better future.

The challenge

To bring communities who've been traditionally excluded and are under-heard into a conversations about genomics in healthcare. Meaningful participation starts with building health literacy. This takes time. Building the conditions for trust by acting as a bridge between Genomics England and global majority communities.

What we did

The People Street team delivered Community-Led Research, engagement workshops and community roundtables in East London and Birmingham between October 2025 and February 2026. We used health inequalities data to guide our decision making. We focused on intersectional communities at the greatest risk of exclusion.

The outcome

Findings are structured by five themes: • Hopes and concerns about genomics • Trust and data security in genomics • Histories and harms • Information and access needs • Consent, life course and responsibilities The final report will be launched in autumn 2026

In partnership with Genomics England in partnership with HVM, Rand, The Social Agency, The Leap · January 2026