Precision health is a growing field that aims to use emerging technology and all available information (such as an individual’s genome, current biophysical measures, and environment) to predict, prevent, diagnose, and treat disease, more precisely, for people and whānau. Examples of precision health include screening at birth to identify genetic variants indicating any diseases you are at higher risk of developing later in life and regular wastewater surveillance to identify outbreaks – such as COVID-19.

Precision health has significant potential to benefit health outcomes. In Aotearoa, however, this potential is under-developed compared with other countries. Research shows that there is potential for long term benefits, and advances in precision health are improving capacity to accurately screen to risk of cancer, diagnose rare conditions, and for health professionals to tailor treatment more effectively for their patients. 

The Ministry of Health is inviting feedback and input on what we should explore within our long-term insights briefing - we want to hear about the opportunities and challenges that exist now and into the future, and what areas might be suitable for case studies within the topic of precision health.

Public consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 27 January 2023.