A new study reveals that nearly one-quarter of critically ill adults admitted to intensive care units had genetic conditions linked to their symptoms—yet half of them were unaware of these diagnoses. This lack of awareness can mean missed opportunities for targeted treatment and better outcomes. But the most troubling finding is the racial disparity in who gets diagnosed.
Black patients were significantly less likely than white patients to have their genetic conditions documented before or during their ICU stay. While 63% of white patients had known diagnoses, only 23% of Black patients did. This gap matters: patients with documented genetic conditions were more likely to survive their hospitalization.
The study did not break down the prevalence or treatment rates of these conditions by race or ethnicity, a limitation that obscures the full scope of disparities. Without this data, it’s harder to understand how systemic barriers—like limited insurance, lack of racial diversity among doctors, and mistrust of the medical system—impact diagnosis and care.
“Getting a genetic diagnosis often requires a series of steps,” said Monica Wojcik, a clinical geneticist. Black patients are more likely to fall through the cracks in this complex process. Latrice Landry, a computational geneticist, emphasized the need to raise awareness and simplify access to testing. “The solution is multipronged,” she said, “but it is attainable.”
See: “Genetic testing of critically ill adults can yield surprises—and reveal disparities in treatment of Black patients” (10 July 2025)
