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Medical News Today
a day ago
- Health
- Medical News Today
Genetic tests for Alzheimer's disease: Types and more
Although genetic testing for genes associated with Alzheimer's disease is available, healthcare professionals do not routinely use these tests when diagnosing this condition. Genetic tests to identify genes associated with Alzheimer's cannot guarantee whether a person will develop the condition. Instead, they may reveal that a person has an increased risk of Alzheimer's. According to the United Kingdom's Alzheimer's Society, genetic testing may be suitable when it seems likely that the condition is due to a single-gene change. For example, if there is a clear family history of the condition. However, various factors can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. A negative test result for associated genes does not guarantee that a person will not develop Alzheimer's disease. A 2023 article highlights the following types of genetic tests for Alzheimer's disease: Predictive and pharmacogenetic tests are only available in research or clinical settings. However, susceptibility tests may be available directly to consumers. People typically buy these tests and carry them out without medical supervision. Some people may find direct-to-consumer tests quicker and more convenient than carrying out the tests in a clinical setting. Although some people may feel peace of mind with a home test, the results also risk causing distress. Additionally, working with a healthcare professional can help a person better understand the results of their test. They can also provide information about lowering the risk of the disease and what treatment options are available if the person starts showing symptoms. Anyone interested in genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease can speak with a healthcare professional for more information, whether they want to know more about the types available or want help understanding the results of a home test.
CNA
a day ago
- Health
- CNA
How does genetic testing affect your insurance coverage? Here's what you should know
SINGAPORE: Singapore will launch a national health programme on Jun 30 targeting a hereditary cholesterol condition. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has described the programme as the country's first preventive care programme based on genetic testing. As Singapore expands its use of genetic testing in preventive healthcare, the question of insurance fairness looms large. Here's what you need to know about the moratorium that protects your data and your coverage. What is a genetic testing moratorium and why does Singapore have one? A genetic testing moratorium is an agreement that restricts how life insurers can use genetic test results when evaluating applications for insurance. It aims to prevent genetic discrimination, ensuring that individuals are not penalised for potential health risks identified through genetic screening. Countries that have such guidelines include Singapore, the United Kingdom and Canada. In Singapore, insurers cannot use predictive genetic test results - used to predict future risk of diseases - in assessing or deciding the outcome of insurance applications, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Genetic tests analyse one's DNA, RNA, chromosomes or specific genes to identify changes that may be linked to inherited conditions, disease risk and the likelihood of passing on conditions to one's children. In Singapore's case, a moratorium on genetic testing and insurance was introduced by the Health Ministry (MOH) and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) in October 2021. In June 2025, the moratorium was expanded to include all predictive and diagnostic test results from the national familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) genetic testing programme Under the agreement, life insurers in Singapore are also not allowed to use genetic test results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic test results. This means individuals do not need to worry that participating in MOH's genetic testing initiative will affect their ability to get life insurance, critical illness coverage. or similar products. The framework applies to all LIA members, including life insurers and reinsurers that are licensed to operate in Singapore. What does the moratorium mean for you? In your insurance applications, insurers may ask that you confirm you have read and understood the moratorium. Under the moratorium, insurers cannot require or pressure you to take a genetic test for insurance underwriting. This applies to all such tests, including predictive, diagnostic, pharmacogenetic or prenatal and newborn screening genetic tests. Insurance underwriting is the process that insurers take to evaluate the risk of insuring a person and decide how much he or she should pay for coverage. In addition, if you have done genetic testing under the new national FH genetic testing programme, insurers are not allowed to ask for or use your test results, both predictive and diagnostic, in insurance underwriting. A predictive test reveals the risk of developing a condition in the future while a diagnostic test confirms a current illness. Are there exceptions to the moratorium on the use of genetic test results? If you have previously taken other genetic tests, insurers cannot ask for or use your results in insurance underwriting. However, there are two exceptions. First, if the test was a diagnostic genetic test that confirmed diagnosis of a disease, insurers can request this as part of your medical history. Second, if you are applying for life, total permanent disability, long-term care, critical illness or disability income insurance, insurers may request your predictive genetic test results only if both of the following conditions are met: The sum assured or payout you are applying for is higher than the approved financial limit (see table below) set out in the moratorium The predictive genetic test you took is one of the approved ones set out in the moratorium - the HTT test for Huntington's Disease and the BRCA1/2 test for breast cancer The moratorium also does not affect insurers' ability to request or use diagnosis or family history, as per current industry practice. In addition, the moratorium only applies to insurance policies that were already in effect before its rollout. For instance, only policies signed on or after Jun 30 will be subject to the updated moratorium. What if you happen to reveal predictive genetic test results to your insurer? The rules of the moratorium still hold as it applies to accidental disclosure as well. This means insurers cannot consider the predictive genetic test result unless the two conditions, stated above under the exceptions, are met. If the predictive genetic test result is favourable, insurers may use it in deciding the underwriting outcome. Does the moratorium cover prenatal or newborn genetic screening? No, the moratorium does not apply to genetic tests done as part of prenatal or newborn screening, for example, tests for metabolic or inherited disorders in babies. These results are treated like other clinical diagnostic tests, and whether they are used in insurance decisions is up to individual insurers. If such tests are done as part of medical care, insurers may consider the results during underwriting, just like with other medical diagnoses. What can you do if you suspect non-compliance with the moratorium? If you are concerned with how an insurer has handled your genetic test information, you may work directly with them to resolve your complaint or feedback. If both parties fail to reach a resolution, you may file a complaint with the Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre, or approach the Singapore Mediation Centre for mediation.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Singapore to launch nationwide genetic testing for hereditary cholesterol disorder
SINGAPORE, June 20 — Singapore will begin a national genetic testing programme for a potentially life-threatening cholesterol disorder on June 30, the country's Ministry of Health (MOH) announced yesterday. The initiative targets early detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), a hereditary condition that impairs the body's ability to manage cholesterol levels. Left untreated, FH can raise the risk of heart attacks by up to 20 times, particularly at a younger age. An estimated 20,000 people in Singapore may be affected by FH. The new programme will be rolled out at three Genomic Assessment Centres (GACs), each operated by one of Singapore's healthcare clusters. The first centre — run by SingHealth — will be housed at the National Heart Centre and will begin accepting referrals from June 30. Two more centres, under the National Healthcare Group and National University Health System, will open in stages. The GACs will provide both pre- and post-test genetic counselling to help patients understand the outcomes and implications of their test results. The test involves a blood draw and genetic analysis to confirm the presence of FH. Who qualifies for testing? Singaporeans and permanent residents with LDL-C cholesterol levels of 5.5mmol/L (212mg/dL) or higher — considered abnormally high — may be referred for FH testing. If confirmed to have FH, their immediate family members, including parents, siblings and children, will also be encouraged to undergo testing through a process known as cascade screening. 'This allows for timelier intervention and treatment, such as advising them to adopt healthier lifestyles and starting them on cholesterol-lowering therapies, if necessary,' said MOH. Subsidies and costs The total cost of FH testing — covering blood collection, lab analysis, and counselling sessions — will be subsidised by up to 70 per cent for eligible Singaporeans and permanent residents. After subsidies, patients can expect to pay between S$117 (RM387) and S$575. Immediate family members of FH-positive individuals can expect subsidised costs of between S$53 and S$253. Additional financial support is available through the MediSave500/700 schemes, and seniors aged 60 and above can also use Flexi-MediSave to reduce their out-of-pocket expenses. MOH noted that most patients who test positive for FH will require long-term management through medication and lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and regular exercise, to maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Patients are encouraged to continue follow-ups with their primary care provider, such as polyclinics or GP clinics. Those enrolled in Healthier SG will also have access to subsidised chronic medication for FH. Singapore's Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a Facebook post yesterday that the programme reflects Singapore's push toward predictive preventive care. 'We want to expand preventive care based on genetic testing to more diseases, beyond FH,' he wrote. 'It is part of our longer-term effort to develop predictive preventive care under Healthier SG.'
CNA
2 days ago
- Health
- CNA
National genetic testing programme to identify patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia
A national genetic testing programme will be launched at the end of June for a disorder that causes people to have very high levels of what is often called "bad cholesterol". The Health Ministry says the programme aims to identify and provide early intervention to those suffering from familial hypercholesterolaemia.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
S'poreans can test for genetic condition causing high cholesterol levels under new programme
SINGAPORE - Eligible Singapore residents will be able to screen for a genetic condition which causes high cholesterol levels at a subsidised rate as part of a nationwide programme launching on June 30. In a statement on June 19, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that the new genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) comes amid broader efforts to enhance preventive care in Singapore. The initiative aims to identify individuals with FH early and reduce the risk of premature heart disease with timely interventions. FH is a hereditary condition that impacts the body's ability to process cholesterol, affecting roughly 20,000 people in Singapore. People with the condition are up to 20 times more likely to experience heart attacks at a younger age compared with the general population. In a Facebook post on June 19, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that the Government is looking to expand preventive care based on genetic testing to more diseases beyond FH. 'It is part of our longer term effort to develop predictive preventive care under Healthier SG,' he said. As part of this effort, the ministry aims to open three genomic assessment centres (GACs) to ensure effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of genetic testing services within each healthcare cluster. Genetics testing for FH at these centres will be subsidised for eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs). They can also tap on MediSave to offset the cost. Those referred to GACs will undergo: Pre-test genetic counselling to understand potential outcomes and benefits before consenting to the test Blood drawing and the genetic test Post-test genetic counselling, to understand the implications of the results The first GAC will be operated by SingHealth and located at the National Heart Centre. It will start accepting referrals from June 30. This centre will serve all Singapore residents until additional centres open. GACs operated by National Healthcare Group and National University Health System will subsequently open to cater to residents' needs. Immediate family members of those found with the condition are at risk and encouraged to undergo genetic testing, MOH said. Known as cascade screening, this process enables early detection of FH within families. It also allows for timelier intervention and treatment, such as advising them to adopt healthier lifestyles or starting on cholesterol-lowering therapies. Under the programme, Singapore citizens and PRs with abnormally high cholesterol levels may be referred by their doctors for genetic testing. Eligible Singaporeans and PRs can receive subsidies of up to 70 per cent for the costs, which include the genetic tests, pre-test and post-test counselling, and phlebotomy services. Seniors from the Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation are also eligible for additional subsidies. After subsidies, referred patients can expect to pay between $117 and $575. Those eligible for cascade screening can expect to pay between $53 and $253 after subsidies. The MediSave500 and MediSave700 scheme can be used to further offset the cost of the genetic test after subsidies. Patients who are 60 years old and above may also use Flexi-MediSave to further defray out of pocket costs. Under a moratorium on genetic testing and insurance introduced by MOH and the Life Insurance Association Singapore (LIA) in 2021, life insurers here are banned from using predictive genetic test results in assessing the outcome of insurance applications, unless certain criteria are satisfied. Insurers are also not allowed to use genetic test results from biomedical research or direct-to-consumer genetic test results. MOH said it has worked with the LIA to amend the moratorium to disallow life insurers in Singapore to use the results of all genetic tests conducted under the national FH genetic testing programme. They may, however, continue to request for individuals to disclose existing diagnosed conditions and family history. The amended moratorium will take effect from June 30. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
