The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new global analysis that reveals significant inequities in human genomics research. This comprehensive report examines clinical genomic studies conducted worldwide over the past three decades and highlights where research progress remains uneven.
Rapid Growth in Genomic Research
Over the past 30 years, genomics has expanded rapidly in clinical research. In fact, the analysis shows that more than 6,500 genomic clinical studies were registered globally between 1990 and 2024. Furthermore, the number of studies increased sharply after 2010 as sequencing technologies improved, costs declined, and clinical applications broadened. Notably, cancer and rare diseases dominate the genomic research landscape.
Stark Geographic Inequities
However, the WHO report also uncovers stark imbalances in where genomic studies take place. More than 80 % of these research projects were carried out in high-income countries. In contrast, fewer than 5 % were conducted in low- and middle-income countries, with these regions often serving only as secondary study sites due to limited infrastructure and sequencing capacity.
Importantly, as per a WHO news release, these geographic disparities raise concerns that the benefits of genomic advances may not reach populations most in need, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Demographic and Disease Gaps
The analysis also points to demographic imbalances in who is studied. Specifically, over 75 % of the research focused on adults aged 18–64 years, while just 4.6 % centered on children and only 3.3 % on older adults. Moreover, communicable diseases—which continue to pose major public health challenges in many regions—appeared in only about 3 % of genomic clinical studies, indicating a significant research gap.
Recommendations for More Inclusive Research
To address these disparities, the WHO report urges coordinated global action. It highlights several priorities: increasing investment in genomic infrastructure in underrepresented regions, expanding study populations to include children and older adults, empowering research leadership in low- and middle-income countries, and aligning genomic research with local health needs. With these steps, WHO aims to ensure that genomic science contributes to health equity and benefits populations worldwide.