Genomics resources in multiple languages for underrepresented communities

Explaining genomics can be complex in anyone’s language. And in Australia more than 300 languages are spoken.

Providing information in different languages is vital for involving diverse communities in research and clinical trials.

That’s why a suite of materials in multiple languages has been developed to enable better understanding of genetics and genomics among Australia’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The materials, now openly available, emerged from a project that set out to better meet the needs of communities that are underrepresented in clinical and population genomics research.

By providing information and consent materials in plain English and priority community languages, the project ensures greater accessibility and inclusion.

The project team collaborated with translators and community members, focus groups and education specialists to ensure the materials were culturally aligned and language appropriate.

“Given Australians’ very diverse ancestral backgrounds, unless active steps are taken to address this problem, current rapid advances in genetic medicine will not benefit many Australian CALD communities,” the study’s white paper says.

The materials are available in English and 10 languages considered a priority for genomics research in Australia: Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Fijian, Hazaragi, Samoan, Tagalog, Tongan, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

The project was supported by Australian Genomics and conducted by the Centre for Population Genomics (CPG), a joint initiative of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. It was led by Professor Daniel MacArthur (Director, CPG) and Mary-Anne Young (Head of Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan).

Developing and translating participant and consent information for ancestry groups underrepresented in genomics research, available here.