Claudia didn’t know she was an “Alpha,” as people with her condition sometimes call themselves.
For years, decades really, she didn’t know why she was susceptible to sinus infections, bronchitis, and periodic bouts with pneumonia. Neither did her doctors. <code style="display: none;"> </code> <code style="display: none;"> </code>
<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">Editor’s Note: We’ve talked to hundreds of people about what they did ‘after the click,’ after they opened up a report and learned about an unknown risk for breast cancer, or lung and liver disease, or cardiac and neurological issues. 
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</code>Suddenly they and their doctor have information they can use to flag a risk to prevent or treat a serious condition. And this is too often for risks they wouldn’t have known of otherwise. As one customer said: “You know, it kind of makes you think like, ‘Oh, I wish I just had it for so many other things.” 
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In fact, at one point after suffering from shortness of breath, she went in for several tests, but her doctor thought she was focused on the wrong thing.
“He said maybe I needed to exercise more because he couldn’t find anything wrong with me,” Claudia said.
<h6>Unraveling a Mystery</h6>
Beyond the frustration, these interactions left her with self-doubt. Was this all just in her head?
But what Claudia and her doctors didn’t know was that it wasn’t just in her head; it was something lurking in her genome linked to <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency">alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency</a> (AATD). Not well known, the condition decreases levels of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, which can lead to damage to the lungs and liver. It’s also notoriously hard to diagnose. In Claudia’s case, it took nearly 30 years.
It wasn’t until she clicked on her 23andMe Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Genetic Health Risk Report* that her symptoms started to make sense. Claudia learned she had two copies of the PI*Z variant in the SERPINA1 gene, putting her at a higher risk for developing lung and liver disease related to AATD. That variant and another, PI*S, account for more than 95 percent of the cases of AATD.
“I looked at my report and then asked my pulmonary doctor to test for AATD,” she said.
That led to her diagnosis and then treatment for the sometimes-debilitating condition. 
<h6><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-29777 size-large" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image-1024x998.png" alt="" width="1024" height="998" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image-1024x998.png 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image-300x292.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image-768x749.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image-880x858.png 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image-1180x1150.png 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Claudia-and-Vern-Feature-Image.png 1853w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Not Alone</h6>
We wrote<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/a-medical-mystery-solved/"> about Claudia</a> not too long ago. But we wanted to look at her story again in the context of new data from a<a href="https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(21)04099-X/fulltext"> recent study</a> that found that her case is not so unusual for people with AATD. In fact, there are some parallels with several other conditions in which a genetic variant confers an increased likelihood of developing a serious disease. As in Claudia’s case, genetic testing can alert those who carry this pathogenic variant of this unknown risk. That in turn can help individuals with a risk of an under-recognized but treatable condition like AATD work with their doctor to treat or prevent serious illness. 
The study found that more than a quarter, 27 percent, of those in our study who were diagnosed with AATD only got their diagnosis after becoming aware of the risk through genetic testing from 23andMe. The study, which included 195,000 individuals, including more than 1,450 with AATD, also found that among those newly diagnosed with AATD, the gap between when they first noticed symptoms and diagnosis was more than 20 years.
In an unpublished follow-up qualitative research done with some of the study participants, many said that learning of their risk of AATD, and then sharing that information with their doctor, offered the kind of actionable information they needed to better manage their health. More than half of those with the most serious variants shared their reports with their doctors.
One of those who participated in the study said:
“[My pulmonologist] said, probably if I had not done [23andMe], 10 years down the road, he would have been seeing me with some really disabling disease… I’m really grateful that I found out about it, and that I can do something about it.”
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
Beyond just getting treatment, going through the report also led to some individuals making healthy behavioral changes, like exercising more or giving up smoking or drinking. 
That’s what happened with Claudia.
Although she’d quit smoking before being tested and never drank much, after learning of her risk, Claudia tried to minimize her exposure to things like chemical smells or smoke that might trigger breathing issues. She stopped using aromatic candles for instance, as well as aerosols and harsh cleaning products. Now she pays attention to the air quality whenever she is planning on doing outdoor activities. But Claudia also wonders how things might have played out if she’d learned 30 years ago that she had Alpha 1.
“If I had known these things when I first started showing symptoms over 30 years ago…  I could have possibly taken more precautions that would have helped with the several bouts of pneumonia I had,” Claudia said.
<h6>Knowledge is Power</h6>
Now she takes a low dose antibiotic and uses extra precautions if she gets a cold as a way to stave off coming down with pneumonia. She’s been that much more diligent about protecting herself during the pandemic. And, because genetics plays a role in the risk for the condition, she talked to her children, who all got tested. Fortunately, none of them were found to have Alpha 1.
But perhaps most impactful for Claudia is the power of knowing. 
<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 300px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">What’s Your Story?
<p style="margin-top: 0in; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">Like our DNA, our stories connect us. They can also inspire, entertain and empower us. Thousands of 23andMe customers have already shared their stories with us. 
<p style="margin-top: 0in; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;">If you have a story to share, we would love to hear it. Just click right <a href="https://www.23andme.com/stories/#form">here to shar</a>e. 
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“The other thing about finally finding out that I had AATD was being able to access knowledge I did not have before, which if for no other reason gave me an answer to why I couldn&#8217;t go up the stairs without being out of breath,” she said recently. “That knowledge was huge for me. I see my pulmonary doctor regularly now and have liver tests yearly. I&#8217;m in my late 60s and hopefully, I will never need to go on oxygen or have augmentation, but if I do, I&#8217;ll know to be prepared and understand the reason for it.”
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment.  The Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) Deficiency genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the PI*Z and PI*S variants in the SERPINA1 gene and describes if a person has variants associated with AAT deficiency and a higher risk for lung and liver disease. The variants included in this report are most common and best studied in people of European descent.

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

After the Click: Claudia Catches Her Breath

Aarathi Sugathan, Ph.D., found her calling in an undergraduate bioinformatics course at the University of Toronto. “I was intrigued,” she recalls. “Here was a way to answer biological questions using the computer in addition to laboratory research.”

This intrigue propelled her through college and a subsequent Ph.D. program and eventually led her to the 23andMe Therapeutics team.
As a Senior Scientist of Computational Biology at 23andMe, Aarathi uses genetic insights to identify and create actionable therapeutic targets for patients. The role feels tailor-made. 
“I get to work on problems that are both interesting to me and really matter to the world,” she says. “In hindsight, it makes perfect sense.”
<h6>How did your academic background lead you to 23andMe?</h6>
My Ph.D. work was on quite basic biology, trying to understand the mechanisms of gene regulation in mouse liver. My postdoc was primarily in a genetics lab.
Then I moved into industry; my first job was at a biotechnology company that aimed to discover new immunotherapy drugs for cancers.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1016" height="1526" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-29785" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580.jpg 1016w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580-586x880.jpg 586w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Aarathi-Sugathan©PITER2019-23andMe3580-786x1180.jpg 786w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px" /></figure>
 
 I feel that 23andMe is a combination of all the above – genetics and drug discovery, and of course, there’s a need to understand underlying biology to put those two things together.
 And I’ve always told people that working here feels like a mix between my postdoc lab (the genetics focus and an academic-like environment in some ways), my previous job (drug discovery and working closely with wet lab scientists), and a tech company (for obvious reasons). It’s a very unique and exciting place to be.
<h6>Can you give an overview of your role?</h6>
 As a member of the Computational Biology team, my job is to help move from a promising genetic association to an actionable therapeutic target that we can use to develop therapies that will ultimately help patients. 
I work closely with people on different teams across the company and use data from our customer-consented genetics research database and other types of data from public sources, as well as data that wet lab scientists in our Therapeutics group generate. 
Using that data, I help prioritize new possible targets. I assess their genetic and biological rationale. I also help answer questions like when and where genes are expressed and what happens in disease conditions compared to normal tissue to help us narrow down the correct targets and understand their mechanisms of action. 
<h6>Earlier this year, 23andMe began clinical trials of its first immuno-oncology (I/O) antibody developed in-house. The Computational Biology team played a key role in each phase of this process. What was that experience like?</h6>
I haven’t worked directly on the CD200R1 program, but I frequently interact with my colleagues who do; it’s certainly very exciting to see how work by our team directly helped identify the target and has continued to support the program all the way through to the clinic.
One of the things I am working on now is thinking about ways to use an approach similar to what we use in immuno-oncology, to try and put together genetic data across different phenotypes to aid in target discovery for other diseases. 
<h6>Does working with such a large genetic data set ever present challenges?</h6>
Definitely. Honestly, I’ve handled them by working together with very talented people across multiple teams who have figured out and continue to figure out better ways to meet these challenges. 
<h6>What projects are you working on that you’re most excited about?</h6>
 Probably the one I am most excited about is the work I’m doing to prioritize the genetic hits that are the most promising for drug target discovery. 
This has involved figuring out the best metrics and benchmarks for a “good” target and using these to evaluate hypotheses. I’m also working on how best to integrate other types of non-genetic data in the public domain that are relevant to specific disease areas, which would help understand and make use of the underlying biological mechanisms that lead to a disease phenotype.
 Another exciting project I’m working on is the Black Representation in Genomic Research project. Through consented research participation, we were able to gather gene expression and genetic data from individuals with African ancestry. Their contribution to this project has helped us better map genetic signals to the underlying causal genes in a way that better represents the variation between humans with different ancestral compositions.
My work for this project has been focused on investigating differences in gene expression between different populations to determine how much our ability to map genetic signals to causal genes is limited by using only datasets that are predominantly from individuals of European descent.

Gene Screen: Computational Biologist Aarathi Sugathan Uses Genetic Insights to Fuel Drug Discoveries

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but for many of us, the pandemic has brought mental health into focus. 
23andMe wants to raise awareness about the issue and give our employees some tools to cope with these trying times. We also want to share what we do with those outside the company. First, we just need to recognize that these are trying times. 
<h2>Pandemic and Other Forces</h2>
Beyond COVID-19, political upheaval, war, economic uncertainty, and other stressors have compounded to create a mental health crisis. This crisis has hit some of us harder than others. 
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide">25 percent increase</a> in anxiety and depression worldwide.  In December 2021, in a rare advisory, the U.S. Surgeon General warned that young people were in the midst of an unprecedented<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-youth-mental-health-advisory.pdf"> mental health crisis</a>. 
Working parents also feel mentally stressed; more than 66 percent reported feeling “burned out,” according to a recent study by researchers at Ohio State University. And not that you need more confirmation, but a study last year by the Society for Human Resource Management found that almost half of all working people were burned out or emotionally drained.
<h2>Focusing Attention</h2>
Addressing the issue starts with simple awareness that we have a problem. Indeed, mental health issues — depression, anxiety, and stress — were all issues before the pandemic, but COVID-19 focused our attention.
“It’s too bad it took a pandemic to do that,” said Dr. Vidya Krishnan, the Chief Psychiatrist and Medical Director for the Children’s Health Council and a program called RISE that is focused on helping teens in mental health crises.
The comment came up during an internal company-wide meeting at 23andMe, part of a series of talks and presentations meant to raise awareness and give employees tools to help themselves and others struggling with mental health challenges.
23andMe is committed to helping its employees identify strategies for overcoming some of these challenges. Some of this involves simply providing space and permission to talk about it, but we also offer tips for reducing stress. 
For Mental Health Awareness Month, 23andMe held a live stream on May 26th with special guest speakers who covered topics as wide-ranging as making healthy, feel-good snacks or tips on breathing and meditation to reduce your stress each day. 

Here are some of the resources and additional information from those sessions. You can also check out the full stream here.
<h2>Striking a Balance Between Work and Life </h2>
Dr. Lauren Cook, a psychologist and author, was joined by Joey Price, a leadership coach and the CEO of Jumpstart HR. Together, they shared mental health resources to help people avoid burnout and find balance. 
How to approach your day:
During the discussion, Dr. Cook referenced Hal Elrod’s book <a href="https://miraclemorning.com/books/">The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM)</a> and discussed the need to set yourself up for success at the start of each day. It could be something as simple as getting up early and being productive or just taking your time and watching TV in the morning. The key is being kind and giving yourself grace in the morning. 

In addition to Dr. Cook’s advice, Joey suggests taking the same approach for the rest of your day. 
“Know your work style and when you have your peaks and rushes of energy during the day,” he said, adding that you should try to tackle tasks during those times. 
It’s also important to communicate this with your supervisor and team members so they know what works best for you.
Meeting and optimizing your time:
The segment then goes into advice about meetings and optimizing everyone’s time. Joey’s advice is to over-communicate by attaching an agenda and keeping it time-bound. He also says it’s important to have boundaries with meetings. Figure out when you say no when you say yes to meetings, and when you say yes how to ask for a hard stop, or even ask ahead of time if you need to prepare anything to be ready for the meeting. Have those tools in your toolkit to be a better attendee and get more out of any meeting.
Dr. Cook’s big takeaway is to give yourself space between meetings, particularly for meeting planners. People need time between their sessions. Then, for people who are being invited to meetings, make sure you stay engaged. If, after a few meetings, you still ask if you really need to be there, it’s probably time to talk to your supervisor about it. 
Final advice:
Dr. Cook says everyone needs to start practicing “monotasking,” or focusing on one task at a time. The more you can be present for what’s happening right now, the better your mental health will be, especially since we’re seeing such a correlation between multitasking and burnout.
Joey’s final message: get outside, connect with nature, and even bring nature inside. It’s good for your mental health.
How to connect with them:
Dr. Lauren Cook: <a href="https://www.drlaurencook.com/">Website</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-boardroom-brain-with-dr-lauren-cook/id1607579872">The Boardroom Brain Podcast</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.laurencook/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.laurencook">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurencook/">LinkedIn</a>
Joey Price: <a href="http://www.jumpstart-hr.com">Jumpstart HR</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/while-we-were-working-your-weekly-small-business-hr/id1598005547">While We Were Working Podcast</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/joeyvpricehr/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/joeyvpriceHR">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeyvprice/">LinkedIn</a> 
<h2>Remember to Breathe</h2>
Kelly Blaser, yoga and meditation instructor, writer, and licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist, shared wellness and breathing exercises you can easily include in your workday. 
What to do when you don’t have much time:
Kelly discussed what she calls “ninja mindfulness,” which is something you can do on the fly to integrate little moments of practice throughout your day. 
You might even need a mindset shift if you don’t have time to do meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises during your day. A practice of five to ten minutes daily, even just for a month, will radically shift how you experience your life. And if you don’t have time for that, even the little things you can do to shift your attention will help. For example, when you walk during the day, be aware of the way your foot strikes the ground and think about your kinship with the planet. Bring in that awareness and pair it with something you’re already doing. 
Breathing exercises:
<ol>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Physiological sigh: Two inhalations through the nose and one long exhalation through the nose or mouth.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Breath retention and “box breathing”: Inhale to a count of 4, hold to a count of 4, exhale to a count of 4, and hold for a count of 4. Then go through it again.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Envision a point that’s at the base of your thoracic cavity, on top of the diaphragm. And then another point that’s two fist lengths above your head. As you inhale, you imagine energy flowing down from the upper point all the way to the base of the heart, then hold. As you exhale, imagine energy flowing back up to top, and then hold. If it’s difficult to picture energy flowing, just imagine you’re moving your awareness. </li>
</ol>
How to connect with Kelly:
<a href="https://www.somapsychotherapy.com/yoga">Website</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kellyblaser.dharmabridge/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyblaser/">LinkedIn</a>
<h2>Feel-good Foods</h2>
23andMe’s Chef Clinton and Janice Motha show you how to make feel-good snacks and drinks that can give you a mental boost during your workday
How to spruce up your water:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Saffron honey water: To make a gallon, boil some water, add about a tablespoon of saffron, and a half a cup of organic honey. Then dump it over ice. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Basil and Meyer lemon: Roll the basil in your hands and dump it in the water</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">A few other ingredient ideas: ginger and lime or mint and berries</li>
</ul>
Afternoon “pick me up” snack ideas:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Make your own granola. One recipe involves mixing almonds, pecans, walnuts, and slightly hydrated raisins with honey and roasting them. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hydrate the granola in yogurt, and make it into balls. Then, dip it in dark chocolate.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Dark chocolate and raspberries</li>
</ul>
We can’t make the stress go away, but we hope that one or all of these sessions will help you turn down the stress meter and make getting through your day a little easier.

Mental Health Awareness Month Tips You Can Use

By Catherine Weldon and Stella Aslibekyan, Ph.D.* 
In what is among the largest studies of long COVID to date, researchers at 23andMe confirm that it disproportionately impacts women, and being diagnosed with depression or anxiety is associated with a more than a two-fold increase in risk for the condition. The study also found that about half of those with persistent symptoms are experiencing them for six months or longer.  
Even after a year, more than 10 percent of those who reported being diagnosed with long COVID continue to have symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and shortness of breath. It’s important to note long COVID refers to individuals who have health effects that linger weeks, months, or longer after COVID-19 infection.
In regression analyses controlling for age, sex, and ethnicity, 23andMe researchers found that those who reported that they had depression or anxiety prior to COVID-19 infection had a two-fold increase in the risk of being diagnosed with long COVID, and having a cardiometabolic disease was associated with a 90 percent higher risk of being diagnosed.  Cardiometabolic diseases include conditions such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.
23andMe data also indicate that more than half of the participants saw no difference after vaccination. Of those who did see a difference, approximately twice as many people reported improvement rather than worsening of some or all symptoms. 
<h6>Confirms Some Previous Findings</h6>
Preliminary data from the unpublished study indicates that women are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed with long COVID compared to men even when controlling for age, ethnicity, and related health conditions. This contrasts with the overall breakdown of those infected with COVID-19, where<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42399-020-00341-w"> men are much more likely</a> to be infected than women. Men are slightly more likely to die from the virus as well, according to a<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622000193#!"> recent Harvard study</a>.
The 23andMe study data is also consistent with<a href="https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(21)00629-7/fulltext"> other studies</a> that have found women are much more likely to develop long COVID. More than 78 percent of those diagnosed with long COVID in the study were females, compared to about 62 percent among those who reported not having experienced long COVID. The findings in our study are aligned with other studies, including a <a href="https://www.clinicalmicrobiologyandinfection.com/article/S1198-743X(21)00629-7/fulltext">study</a> led by researchers at the University of Milan that found that women were more than three times as likely to develop long COVID than men.
23andMe’s data also indicated that when compared with men, a larger percentage of women with long COVID appear to have symptoms that persist a bit longer, which is also consistent with<a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2021.0411"> other smaller studies</a>. In addition, long COVID disturbs menstrual cycles; according to 23andMe’s data, about a quarter are reporting that they are still dealing with disruptions after a year. 
Beyond the disproportionate impact on women, those who have had the most severe cases of COVID are also at a much higher risk of developing long COVID. In the 23andMe study, researchers found that individuals with COVID who required hospitalization had a more than ten-fold risk of being diagnosed with long COVID compared to those who were not hospitalized when controlling for age, sex, and ethnicity. 
<h6>Very Large Study Cohort</h6>
Scientists still don’t understand what causes long COVID, nor how to best treat it. An effort to recruit patients to study the condition by the National Institutes of Health got off to a slow start, with the agency only recruiting about 1,300 people by late March, far short of their 40,000-patient goal.
The 23andMe study included data from more than 100,000 individuals who reported contracting COVID-19. Of those included in this study, more than 26,000 reported that they had experienced long COVID, and over 7,000 said they’d been diagnosed with it. This unpublished study is part of <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/tag/covid-19/">a series of studies</a> being conducted by 23andMe scientists since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
Among the areas of study is research on <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/23andme-covid-study-published/">the role blood type plays</a> in severity and susceptibility to the virus, and insights into the genetics that influence <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/reaction-to-covid-vaccine/">different reactions</a> to COVID-19 vaccines. Earlier this year, 23andMe published a study in the journal<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00986-w"> Nature Genetics</a> that identified genetic variants associated with the loss of smell or taste due to COVID-19. That paper offers more detail on the study, which identified variants near two olfactory genes — UGT2A1 and UGT2A2.

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				<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_6mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_6mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_6mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_6mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_6mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-574x574.jpg 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />
			</dt></dl><dl class='gallery-item'>
			<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_3mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_3mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_3mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_3mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_3mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-574x574.jpg 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />
			</dt></dl><dl class='gallery-item'>
			<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>
				<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_12mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_12mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_12mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-271x271.jpg 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_12mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-372x372.jpg 372w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/symptoms_12mo_heatmap_gt5_02MAY2022-2-574x574.jpg 574w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />
			</dt></dl> 
		</div>

Long-Haulers and Sex Differences
This latest study is part of an effort to better understand the so-called<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-021-01145-z"> long haulers</a>: individuals with health effects that linger weeks, months, or longer after COVID-19 infection.
Why do some individuals continue to have symptoms long after the initial infection? Why are women more likely to develop long COVID than men, and what is the role of genetics in this?
While the 23andMe researchers found no genetic variants associated with developing long COVID, the higher rate of cases in women may be indicative of differences in hormonal levels, which are substantially rooted in genetics.
The sex differences do suggest biological underpinnings and can help elucidate them.  
Scientists know there are similar differences for other kinds of conditions. For example, women are much more likely than men to develop autoimmune conditions such as lupus or multiple sclerosis. Autoimmune conditions occur when the body’s immune system misfires and attacks healthy cells in the body. Females typically have two copies of the X chromosome, which has the largest number of immune-related genes. That in turn means that different immune responses are more pronounced in women.
Whether this explains the much higher incidence of long COVID in women has yet to be determined. But 23andMe researchers did find that about a third, or 32 percent, of those diagnosed with long COVID had some sort of autoimmune disease, compared to only about 20 percent among those who reported not having experienced long COVID. 
<h6>Serious Symptoms</h6>
<div style="float: right; text-align: justified; width: 315px; background-color: #eee; padding: 15px; margin-left: 10px;">
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Among the largest long COVID studies to date using self-reported data from more than 100,000 individuals consented to participate in research.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Females are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with long COVID compared to males when controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and related health conditions.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Long COVID Symptoms linger past 12 months among at least 10 percent of those with long COVID.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">More than half of those with Long COVID had a history of depression, anxiety, or cardiometabolic disease prior to COVID-19 infection.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Having a history of depression or anxiety was associated with more than a two-fold increase in the risk of being diagnosed with Long COVID.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Having a cardiometabolic disease is associated with an approximately 90% higher risk of being diagnosed with long COVID.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">About a third of those who develop Long COVID have an autoimmune disease.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">More than half of the participants saw no difference in symptoms after vaccination. Of those who did, almost twice as many reported improvement in symptoms compared to those who reported worsening symptoms. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hospitalization for COVID led to a ten-fold increase in the risk of being diagnosed with long COVID. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">This unpublished study is part of <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/tag/covid-19/">a series of studies</a> being conducted by 23andMe scientists since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Although trend lines are pointing downward for infections, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19, the impact of long COVID remains unknown. The condition is thought to affect as many as <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1626">30 percent</a> of those who are infected with the virus.
23andMe’s study found that symptoms lasted from three months to more than a year, with some individuals continuing to suffer. The top symptoms– which the participants reported arose only after the COVID-19 infection– were brain fog, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Among those diagnosed with COVID-19, even at six months about 34 percent of those diagnosed with the condition reported an inability to focus or concentrate associated with what’s termed “brain fog.” After a year, about 19 percent still had brain fog. After 12 months, about 14 percent reported having shortness of breath, and about 7 percent said they had heart palpitations.
<h6>What’s Next</h6>
There are a few limitations to our study that we should note. For one, this study relies on self-reported data from 23andMe consented research participants. As with other studies on long COVID, the diagnosis is still nebulous and highly variable, and the reports can be subjective. We include both information from those participants who reported that they were diagnosed with long COVID or simply reported that they had long COVID. 
Another important consideration is that 23andMe’s data is not representative of the U.S. population as a whole. That said, the prevalence of various symptoms is similar to that in the published literature. 
Future studies are warranted to continue documenting the natural history of long COVID over longer time periods. In addition to corroborating our findings, it is possible that future studies of even larger populations will find some genetic underpinnings of the reported symptoms, although the individual effect of each genetic factor is likely to be small. 
As people continue to deal with symptoms of long COVID, using studies like ours to better understand the illness will be increasingly important. Projecting over the millions of individuals worldwide who’ve been infected or are yet to be infected, the public health impact of long COVID is likely to linger for years to come. Understanding the underlying biology and associations may help as scientists wrestle with the best way to treat the condition.
<hr />
*Catherine is an associate scientist at 23andMe and Stella is a genetic epidemiologist at 23andMe.
<hr />
Editor&#8217;s note: Throughout this post we use the word women for simplicity, but the study was actually based on anyone with XX chromosomes. So &#8220;women&#8221; in our study may include people whose gender identity is different than the sex they were assigned at birth.

A logo for 23andMe's COVID-19 Research Study

Anxiety and Depression Raise the Risk for Long COVID

This week, we released a new report powered by 23andMe Research on Psoriasis for 23andMe+ Premium members.
The autoimmune condition is characterized by discolored, itchy, and scaly patches of skin often seen on the knees, elbows, and scalp. Symptoms can also occur in other areas of the body, such as the torso, palms, and soles of the feet. In its mildest form, psoriasis can be a nuisance. But in severe cases, the condition can be painful and sometimes unsightly. 
Psoriasis is chronic and symptoms may come and go throughout a person’s life. Such things as stress, intense sun exposure, infections, or skin injuries can trigger flare-ups.
The condition is estimated to affect about 3 percent of people in the United States.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="790" height="1024" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-790x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29706" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-790x1024.png 790w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-231x300.png 231w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-768x996.png 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM-679x880.png 679w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.54-PM.png 796w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 790px) 100vw, 790px" /></figure>
 
<h6>More About Psoriasis</h6>
Psoriasis is often confused with another skin condition, eczema. Both can trigger skin irritation but eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis, is more often characterized by itchy, dry, and or discolored skin. Eczema shares genetic associations with<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/researchers-identify-new-genetic-associations-for-allergies-asthma-and-eczema/"> allergies and asthma.</a> Psoriasis on the other hand, has genetic associations with genes involved with the body’s<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-genetic-variants-found-influence-psoriasis-risk/"> immune response</a>.
Like eczema, psoriasis can be itchy, but symptoms are more associated with a stinging or burning sensation, and more inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis also typically includes thickening patches on the skin, called “plaques.” In addition, the condition sometimes includes areas of skin that are covered in silvery-white scales that flake off.

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="658" height="568" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.40-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29707" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.40-PM.png 658w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen-Shot-2022-04-21-at-1.07.40-PM-300x259.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px" /></figure>
 
<h6>A New Report</h6>
The new 23andMe+ Premium report, which is powered by data from consented 23andMe research participants, uses machine learning techniques to estimate an individual’s likelihood of developing psoriasis.
To make the estimate for the likelihood of developing psoriasis we use a statistical model that includes more than 7,500 genetic markers as well as information on an individual’s ethnicity and birth sex. Our researchers also verified that the model meets our scientific standards for individuals of European, Hispanic/Latino, East/Southeast Asian, South Asian, Sub-Saharan African/African American, and Northern African/Central &amp; Western Asian descent. Your Psoriasis result also takes into account the birth sex you indicated in your account settings.
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are several promising treatments and ways to manage the condition. Healthy lifestyle habits — limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and managing stress — can lower the chances of developing psoriasis, as well as reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
Medications used to treat the condition vary depending on whether the condition is “systemic” meaning it affects the whole body, or “localized,” meaning it only affects an isolated area of the skin.
Beyond the physical symptoms, psoriasis is also associated with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. This is in part because the condition carries a stigma because of the misconception that it is contagious, even though it’s not. (23andMe does not report on contagious conditions.) Beyond that, the appearance of the condition and chronic discomfort can be isolating. 
<h6>Learn More</h6>
23andMe’s new Psoriasis Report (Powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all 23andMe+ Premium members. To view your report, go <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.psoriasis/">here</a>.
Not yet a 23andMe+ Premium member?
Find out more about our 23andMe+ Premium membership  <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/?halnup=hath">here</a>.

New 23andMe+ Premium Report on Psoriasis

Angel Rich, whose father was adopted, always believed she was Dominican. She was raised in a household that spoke Spanish—she even minored in the language in college.
 But her 23andMe reports told another story. Her background revealed primarily African heritage, with a smattering of European and Asian ethnicity.
<h2>A Big Surprise</h2>
First came the surprise. “Having been told that I was Dominican my whole life, it was kind of a shock,” she said.
 Then came acceptance. “Yet it was also a relief to know where I came from…I had always been drawn to African culture.”
And later, curiosity. “I’m a researcher, so I wanted to understand why I had ancestry from places like Nigeria, the Congo, and Cameroon…and then I learned that the Fula people had traveled through all these places.”
 So in 2018, Angel Rich traveled to several countries in Africa, tracing the migration of her ancestors, the Fula people – one of the largest ethnic groups on the continent. “I wanted to learn more about my background,” she said. “The whole thing is fascinating to me.”
<h2>23andYou</h2>
Angel shared her story during “23andYou,” the first-ever community conference for our customers. The three-hour virtual event brought over 1,000  attendees together to learn more about the 23andMe experience. 
Participants learned more about our ancestry, traits, and Health reports, discovered new research initiatives underway, and heard stories from customers like Angel. The event also included several Q&amp;A sessions with product scientists, researchers, and other experts. 
<h2>Empowerment and partnership</h2>
Empowerment and partnership were key themes of the day. In a fireside chat, CEO Anne Wojcicki spoke about her desire “to do something where I’m truly empowering people” and stressed the importance of partnership. “You have to have true engagement with your customers, and you have to treat them like partners,” she said. 
One example of the power of that partnership can be seen firsthand in 23andMe’s <a href="https://www.23andme.com/therapeutics/">therapeutics program</a>, explained Principal Clinical Scientist Sophia Majeed during an afternoon breakout session. 
“Therapeutics research and the consumer groups are all interconnected. Our consenting customers power the flywheel that enables discoveries that benefit them and help further our understanding of science.”
Sophia discussed the origin of <a href="https://investors.23andme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/23andme-initiates-phase-1-clinical-trial-first-wholly-owned">23Me-00610</a>, a new experimental cancer drug now in clinical trials. It was discovered using insights from data provided by consented research participants. 
“We’ve just started our journey in clinical trials, and we have a long way to go,” she said, “but I often think about our research participants who started by filling out surveys about themselves, which led to the insights that allowed us to identify this potential target for cancer and develop this investigational drug that we’re now testing.”
<h2>New Insights</h2>
The conference ended with a lively Q&amp;A session and brief closing remarks from Anne.
“[This] was a really important event for me,” she reflected. 23andMe is entirely built upon empowering individuals. The hope of this meeting is to give you greater insights into your genetics, whether it’s on the ancestry or the health side, so you can really use this genetic code and this incredible knowledge to have a better life.”

Customers at the 23andYou Community Conference

Corie Allessie, a retired dental assistant and former Navy jet mechanic, has a few essential rules for healthy living.



&nbsp;Never, ever eat in front of the television. Get up and get moving (winter is not an excuse). Prepare healthy food – especially vegetables – ahead of time. Minimize eating out. Walk whenever you can (her preferred walking partner is her 170-pound Saint Bernard, Pete). And keep yourself accountable, either by writing in a journal or sharing your goals with a friend or family member.



&nbsp;She came up with these guidelines after a 23andMe kit prompted a revaluation of her lifestyle.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="593" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-1024x593.jpg" alt="Corie and her daughter, Cassie" class="wp-image-29723" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-1024x593.jpg 1024w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-300x174.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-768x445.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-880x510.jpg 880w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218-1180x684.jpg 1180w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7765-e1651865945218.jpg 1317w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Corie (left) with her daughter Cassie and her dog Pete </figcaption></figure>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-honest-assessment">An honest assessment</h6>



Corie received 23andMe as a gift from her daughter and was excited to learn more about her genetics. As she waited for her results, she filled out several 23andMe <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/212881977-23andMe-Research-Surveys-and-Questions">research questions</a> about her health.



&nbsp;The questions forced her to take an “honest look” at her choices and habits. “The questions really triggered something for me…maybe my weight gain wasn’t all about the COVID-19 pandemic; maybe it was about my low activity level or my eating patterns,” she said.



This reflection “sparked an interest in being more productive, active, and responsible for my health because what I do now will have an impact later on.”



&nbsp;So she decided to make changes and encouraged her family to do the same.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-re-on-the-right-path">&#8220;We&#8217;re on the right path&#8221;</h6>



By following the simple principles outlined above, Corie, her husband, and her daughter have lost over 80 pounds combined. “My daughter is running on the treadmill,” she reported. “My husband is walking more. We’re on the right path.”



And the benefits extend far beyond the scale. She now has renewed energy to do what she loves – playing with her three grandchildren (“who needs a gym, just have grandchildren,” she quipped), and creative writing. She even wrote a poem about her 23andMe experience:



“It came as a gift, but it’s so much more.



It showed me my ancestors from a time before.



Through science, I am able to see,



Those whose DNA is shared with me.



I have a connection with people far and near,



It helped me change, and took away the fear.



Together with the knowledge of my ancestry,



I can make healthy choices.



Thank you, 23andMe!”

A Family Gets Healthy, with Some Help from Mom

If you’re a recent Ph.D. graduate interested in opportunities to work with genetic data in the search for new insights into human disease and new treatments for those conditions, then 23andMe wants you.
23andMe has many new positions as part of our <a href="https://research.23andme.com/postdocs/">Postdoc Program</a>. Positions will include work in labs, data science, computational biology, or translational biology.  These positions offer the right candidates unrivaled opportunities to collaborate, investigate and discover together with our seasoned scientists known for world-class innovation.
“23andMe has a very large database of re-contactable customers who have consented to participate in our research driven by genetic data,” said Davide Foletti, a Research Fellow in Drug Discovery on the 23andMe Therapeutics Team.  “The unparalleled size of our unique database gives us enormous discovery power to study all manner of diseases. It shapes our approach to target discovery and guides our process to drug development generating insights at an unprecedented scale. The postdoc positions at 23andMe offer a unique opportunity for the right candidate.” 
The positions include generous compensation, with competitive salaries as well as top-notch benefits, and a wonderful working environment. The positions will be for two, or three years, and in the case of the biology postdoc positions within the Therapeutics Team, there will be an optional fourth year. Some positions may be remote. Two postdoc positions within the Research Team will be sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
We are interested in recent Ph.D. graduates who are ready to pursue research focused on a number of areas, from Long COVID and Parkinson’s disease, to developing and improving upon polygenic risk scores, and studying the genetics of complex diseases within diverse populations.. Within our Therapeutics Team, there will be positions focused on genetics, biology and translational science, novel technologies, and computational and functional genomics approaches to target and drug discovery. 
Each Postdoc will be supported in expanding their research experience and skills while being highly encouraged to present their work externally at scientific meetings and publish in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals. The program offers the opportunity to work with the largest genetic and phenotypic database of its kind in the world,opportunities to develop project management skills and to work cross-functionally with multiple groups and functions within the company.
23andMe’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. Our Postdoc program will focus on therapeutics and the opportunity to ensure that more people benefit from the human genome. Qualified postdocs leading innovative projects push our mission forward, translating great research into great discovery.
Stay tuned for information and links to more details in the coming weeks for this great opportunity for the right candidate.  
<h6>Key Facts</h6>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">23andMe’s postdoc positions are for two, or three years with the option of a fourth year for the biology postdoc position on the Therapeutics team. While we cannot commit to hiring any of our postdocs, we encourage them to apply for open positions with the company after completion of their training. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The program is funded by 23andMe except for two positions created with the support of the Michael J. Fox Foundation.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">The program aims to prepare the postdoc for success in research in academia or industry.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">23andMe postdocs will be working on real-world challenges alongside our scientists.</li>
</ul>
<h6>Eligibility Criteria</h6>
To be eligible for a 23andMe research postdoc position, you must have completed a Ph.D. in a STEM field within the last two to four years.
<h6>Recruiting Timeline</h6>
Details for the openings will be posted by the end of May 2022, with the aim of hiring qualified candidates this summer.
<h6>Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion</h6>
Diversity, equity, and inclusion at 23andMe foster a workplace that embodies respect and transparency, helps us empower one another, and provides access to opportunity for everyone. Learn how you will experience diversity, equity, and inclusion <a href="https://www.23andme.com/diversity-equity-inclusion/">at 23andMe</a>.
<h6>Applying</h6>
Visit our <a href="https://research.23andme.com/postdocs/">Postdoc Program Website</a> to learn more and apply for positions through <a href="https://www.23andme.com/careers/jobs/">our careers page</a>.

Postdoc Opportunities at 23andMe

For Mother’s Day this year we want to highlight <a href="https://www.facebook.com/23andMe/photos/a.10150582352627802/10161640110272802/?type=3">Lisa</a>, a public health nurse with a background in genetics, who shared what she learned using 23andMe as part of a little motherly advice for her two sons.
“I want to be able to help my kids understand their health risks and make good decisions,” Lisa said. “Knowledge is power.”
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="512" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay.png" alt="" class="wp-image-29725" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay.png 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-150x150.png 150w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-300x300.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-271x271.png 271w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lisa-MDay-372x372.png 372w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>
 
<h6>Be Aware</h6>
A lot of parents use the refrain — “make good decisions“ — when talking to their kids. But Lisa knows that good choices depend on good information, especially when it comes to your health.
The first step is to understand a bit about your family medical history, and using 23andMe could help by filling in the gaps in that history. In Lisa’s case, she knew that age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults, ran in her family.  Her mom was diagnosed with AMD in her 70s. So, it wasn’t a surprise when Lisa learned that her Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genetic Health Risk report* showed two variants associated with the condition.
<h6>Taking Action</h6>
Having an understanding about the impact of genetics on her health, inspired her to take steps to try and keep her eyes healthy. First, she talked to her husband, who is a doctor, about what actions to take. Among the steps one can take to potentially lower their risk, are things like not smoking, and including more leafy greens, citrus, nuts and whole grains in your diet. And simple things like wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from harmful exposure to the sun. Lisa did all that and also took the time to talk to her sister, and then to her two sons.
&#8220;We&#8217;re looking out for them and making sure they see the seriousness of this disease,” Lisa said.
She wasn’t just offering up a bit of motherly wisdom, but sharing information that she knew could have lasting impact.
“I think it’s very empowering for them to have this knowledge and be able to pass it on to future generations,” she said. 
*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. It is not intended to diagnose any disease. Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. Each genetic health risk report describes if a person has variants associated with a higher risk of developing a disease, but does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing the disease. The test is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions, including whether or not you should take a medication, how much of a medication you should take, or determine any treatment. The Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) genetic health risk report is indicated for reporting of the Y402H variant in the CFH gene, and the A69S in the ARMS2 gene and describes if a person has variants associated with an increased risk of developing AMD. The variants included in this report are common in many ethnicities but are best studied in people of European descent.

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