Ah, summer vacation. A chance to set your status to “out of office,” grab that book you’ve been meaning to finish, and set off on a new adventure.
But how – and where – should you spend your precious days off? To help you finalize your summer travel plans, we’ve compiled a list of destinations influenced by your DNA and backed by 23andMe research.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast with a fear of heights or a beach lover who’s genetically predisposed to get a lot of mosquito bites, we have a destination that may pair well with your genes.

<h6> Summer Sans Bite</h6>
Summer marks the return of many simple pleasures – barbecues, beach trips, long days, warm nights, and time outside. But it also marks the return of a buzzing menace: the mosquito.
If you seem to have more itchy red welts on your ankles than the people around you, your DNA may play a role. 23andMe researchers found<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/"> 285 genetic variants</a> associated with mosquito bite frequency, size, and itchiness. These markers and other non-genetic factors such as birth sex may explain why mosquitoes find some people so attractive.
For the mosquito magnets among us, we recommend heading north to an urban location with cooler temperatures like Seattle, Washington. Seattle’s<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/why-are-there-so-few-mosquitos-seattle"> temperate climate</a> helps keep mosquito populations <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/zika/pdfs/Zika-mosquito-maps.pdf">in check</a> because there is less heat, humidity, and standing water that they need to survive and reproduce. With its lively art and food scene and proximity to Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Seattle is buzzing in all the right ways.

<h6>Finding Balance</h6>
For those who suffer from<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/motion-sickness/"> motion sickness</a>, the mere thought of a summer road trip may trigger a desire to stock up on motion sickness relief medicine.
Motion sickness may happen when there’s sensory conflict, or a mismatch between what your body feels is happening and what your eyes see. And genetics factor in, too. 23andMe researchers pinpointed<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/feeling-woozy-over-23andmes-new-report-on-motion-sickness/"> 413 genetic variants</a> that influence susceptibility to motion sickness. They also saw an<a href="https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/24/9/2700/2385879?login=false"> association</a> between motion sickness and other conditions like migraines, morning sickness, and vertigo, which confirmed similar observations from previous researchers.
So this summer, ditch the car, skip the open road, and head to one of America’s most<a href="https://www.walkscore.com/NY/New_York"> walkable</a> metropolises: New York City. It’s a pedestrian’s paradise – museum exhibitions, Broadway shows, restaurants, lively neighborhoods, and shopping that can be easily reached on foot. No medication required.

<h6>Don’t Look Down</h6>
Does a precipice cause your heart to race? Does a mountain vista make your knees tremble?
A fear of heights is very common, affecting as many as <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-012-6685-1">one in three</a> people.
The distress may stem from a disruption in optical input and spatial orientation. While standing upright, the brain uses visual cues from surrounding objects to maintain balance. But this process can become muddled when standing at a high elevation relative to your surroundings.
There’s also a<a href="https://www.23andme.com/topics/traits/fear-of-heights/"> genetic component</a> at play. Scientists at 23andMe used statistical models and data from consented research participants to identify <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/itching-to-see-23andmes-new-trait-reports/">392 genetic markers</a> associated with a fear of heights.
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm">Biscayne National Park</a> offers an alternative to the high elevations and heart-stopping views that we usually associate with the National Park system. Biscayne is located off the southeast coast of Florida, the country’s flattest state, and features four different ecosystems that hover close to sea level. The park offers plenty of water activities and several<a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/florida/elliott-key-interpretive-loop"> low-elevation trails</a> that provide an awe-inspiring view of mangrove trees, sand bars, and turquoise water without that woozy, faint feeling.
Pack your bags; your DNA-tailored adventure awaits!

23andMe Blog

23andMe Blog Team

Where You Should Travel This Summer, Based on Your Genetics

Looking back on it all now, it’s surprising for Laura to see how it happened so fast, and how lucky she’d been.
And none of it would have occurred if her best friend hadn’t off-handedly suggested she use 23andMe.
“I thought it’d be fun and maybe we’d find out that we were distant relatives,” said Laura, a 48-year-old mother of two teens.
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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. 
Most often, the response isn’t one of fear but empowerment.  
Suddenly they and their doctor have the information they can use to follow up on a risk in order to prevent or treat a serious illness. And this is often for risks they wouldn’t have known of otherwise. 
Here is the second in an occasional series about customers who were empowered to take action after learning of a serious health risk through 23andMe. 
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If she hadn’t used 23andMe, if she hadn’t been curious and simply open to knowing a little more about herself, Laura said she would likely still be walking around blissfully unaware of the looming risk.
“Knowledge truly is power,” said Laura. You just have to be open to it and ready to act on it.
<h6>Knowing</h6>
Even though it started on a lark, Laura recalls a moment during the process of ordering the 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service when she paused. As part of the intake, customers are asked if they understand they might learn something about their ancestry or their health that they may not want to know.
“After all, you can’t un-know something,” Laura said.
She thought about it and decided she wanted to know.
After sealing up her sample to send it in, she marveled for a moment about the science of it all, and the fact that from a little bit of saliva she could learn about her ancestral heritage, connections to close and distant relatives, and about her health.
Being able to do all that from a bit of spit was amazing, Laura said. 
<h6>There it Is</h6>
Three weeks later Laura got a message that her reports were ready for viewing. She sat down at her computer, signed in, and then navigated to her health reports. After opting to view her results and then going through short tutorials and additional opt-in, she opened her BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report.* It changed her world forever.
“There it was. (one variant detected in) BRCA2 (gene). I knew what that was,” she said.
She knew what it meant. She knew having one of the risk variants in the BRCA2 gene was serious, but she also felt empowered by the knowledge. Instead of triggering dread, after clicking on her report and learning of her genetic risk, the information sparked action. Laura contacted her doctor and her OBGYN. What followed were discussions with her husband and her family. Then confirmatory tests, and discussions with her doctor and a genetic counselor, followed by some very big decisions.
But she knew what she had to do.
“I did the research. I read the numbers. They weren’t good,” she said.
Because she was over 45, the recommendations to substantially lower her risk were for the removal of her fallopian tubes and both ovaries and for her to consider the option of a double mastectomy. All of this was confirmed and scheduled within just four months of first opening her report.
“As a mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend I have too much to live for. Too many people who count on me,” Laura said. “I have more to accomplish. More life to live. More adventures to take. I need to be here to watch my children grow up. I haven’t seen enough yet.”
<h6>Awareness</h6>
In talking about her decision, Laura said she remembered being moved by an opinion piece in the New York Times from a prominent actress from almost a decade ago. In the piece, the actress revealed she’d undergone a double prophylactic mastectomy after learning she had a BRCA mutation that put her at increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The actress’s mother had died of ovarian cancer, as had her aunt, and her public disclosure brought into sharp focus for many the risk of certain BRCA variants and the need for better screening.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1-208x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="432" class="alignright wp-image-29909" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1-208x300.jpg 208w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1-768x1106.jpg 768w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1-711x1024.jpg 711w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1-611x880.jpg 611w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1-820x1180.jpg 820w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Laura-markowski-photo-1.jpg 828w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
That story stuck with Laura.
And then there was one other thing that solidified for Laura that this was the right decision. It happened in the run-up to her surgery that was scheduled in July of 2021. In the pre-op testing, she underwent a breast MRI, and during the scan, they saw something suspicious. A biopsy revealed that Laura didn’t just have an increased risk for cancer, she had cancer.
“It is the call that nobody thinks they will ever get. It is the call that you are never prepared for. CANCER,” she said.
She already knew she was getting surgery done so it didn’t change what she was going to do, but it made it all more real. And perhaps even more impactful was the feeling that she, by chance, dodged a bullet.
“23andMe quite possibly saved my life,” she said.
<h6> Slipping through the Cracks</h6>
In talking to her doctor they both thought that the cancer had been so small that it likely wouldn’t have been picked up in her annual mammogram. She might not have known until it progressed to a much later stage when it would have been much harder to treat.
“I might not have ever known and then it would have been a much different outcome,” she said.
Laura’s story isn’t so unusual. Indeed, like Laura, many people who carry a BRCA risk variant are unaware of it until they’re diagnosed with cancer. Many don’t qualify for traditional clinical genetic testing, which centers on whether there is a personal or family history of cancer. In some cases, having Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry is also a criterion. Although Laura knew of her ancestry, many people don’t know that they have Ashkenazi ancestry or they don’t understand the significance of genetic ancestry to their health. 
In a study published two years ago in the journal<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-63466-x"> Scientific Reports</a>, 23andMe researchers found that many people with a BRCA variant are likely slipping through the cracks under current testing criteria. Another study by<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2703131"> researchers at Geisinger</a> reported that more than 80 percent of people with a BRCA variant did not know they have one.
<h6>More about BRCA</h6>
The 23andMe study found that about 44 percent of individuals who provided both ancestry and family health history information had no first-degree relative with a BRCA-related cancer. The researchers also found that 21 percent of individuals who had one of the three Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA1 or BRCA2 founder variants did not report having Jewish ancestry, but more than half did have detectable Ashkenazi genetic ancestry.
In the absence of a personal history of cancer, these individuals would have been unlikely to qualify for clinical genetic testing and would have been left unaware of their risk, according to the study.
While 23andMe’s BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report,* only looks at three variants of the more than 1,000 BRCA variants known to convey risk, they are among the most studied.  The prevalence of these three variants is about 1 in 40 in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. In the general population, about 1 in 300 to 1 in 800 individuals has a BRCA variant, although typically not one of the three variants included in 23andMe’s report. Women with a BRCA variant have a 45-85 percent chance of developing breast cancer and up to a 46 percent chance of developing ovarian cancer by age 70. Men with a BRCA variant have an increased risk for male breast cancer and may have an increased risk for prostate cancer. Risk for certain other cancers may also be increased. (Here’s more about <a href="https://www.23andme.com/brca/">BRCA</a>.)
<h6>Knowledge is Power</h6>
But what happens when someone using 23andMe discovers an<a href="https://peerj.com/articles/8/"> unexpected BRCA</a> finding? 23andMe conducted a small study to look at that and found that those who learned they carried a risk variant generally took appropriate actions, talking to their doctors, and sharing their results with family and friends to ensure that they were aware of the potential inherited risk.
This was Laura’s experience.
She shared her story in part because she knows there are others like her out there.
“Knowledge truly is power,” she said. “Finding out I am BRCA positive gave me the chance to change my destiny… I know there must be others out there walking around in blissful ignorance like I was.”
<h6>Read More on BRCA:</h6>
<a href="https://www.23andme.com/brca/">Do You Speak BRCA?</a>
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/action-for-health-brca/">Taking Action for Health, A BRCA Story</a>
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/study-suggests-many-with-brca-variant-missed-by-current-screening-criteria/">New 23andMe BRCA Study Published</a>
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/brca1-risk/">23andMe Alerted Me to My BRCA1 Variant</a>
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/brca1/">The Gift of Knowing</a>
<a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/laura-breast-cancer-awareness/">Raising Awareness about Breast Cancer</a>
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*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, including the 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants). Your ethnicity may affect the relevance of each report and how your genetic health risk results are interpreted. The test is not intended to diagnose any disease and does not describe a person’s overall risk of developing any type of cancer. It 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 treatments. Warnings &amp; Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health RIsk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.  The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. This report does not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in this report does not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action.

After the Click, Knowing BRCA, Laura’s Story

This week, we released a new report Powered by 23andMe Research on Rosacea for 23andMe+ members.
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that typically affects the central parts of the face.
It is commonly characterized by flushing, redness, and visible blood vessels, but symptoms can vary; some individuals experience irritation or inflammation of the eyes or eyelids, while others experience thickened skin on the nose.
Symptoms may also come and go in response to environmental triggers.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-29849 size-medium" src="http://35.88.189.111/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/rosacea_use2-300x263.png" alt="Rosacea causes" width="300" height="263" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/rosacea_use2-300x263.png 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/rosacea_use2.png 512w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
<h2>Understanding Rosacea</h2>
It is<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29478264/"> estimated </a>that around 5 percent of adults have rosacea. 
It is more prevalent among older adults, females, and individuals with family histories of the condition.
The exact cause is not well understood. Evidence suggests that genetics and inflammation caused by an overactive immune system may play a role. Other factors may also contribute to risk, including overreactive blood vessels that dilate too easily, sensitivity to microorganisms that naturally live on the skin, and an imbalance of natural bacteria that live in the gut.
<h2>Research on rosacea</h2>
Current research aims to understand rosacea and identify therapies that can help.
In 2015, scientists from 23andMe and Stanford University School of Medicine <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/the-genetics-of-rosacea/">identified</a> two genetic variants strongly associated with rosacea among people of European ancestry. 
One of these markers can be found near genes involved with other conditions, such as diabetes and celiac disease. Another sits between BTNL2 and HLA-DRA, genes associated with histocompatibility and immune response.
Later research from 23andMe and GlaxoSmithKline also <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/23andme-research/new-genetic-associations-for-rosacea-found/">unearthed</a> seven gene regions associated with rosacea symptom severity.
<h2>A new report</h2>
Our new report is powered by data from consented 23andMe research participants and uses machine-learning techniques to estimate an individual’s likelihood of developing rosacea.
This estimate uses a statistical model that includes 14,154 genetic markers and information on an individual’s ethnicity and birth sex.
<h2>Managing rosacea</h2>
There is no cure for rosacea, but individuals can manage it by identifying and avoiding triggers, like sunlight and emotional stress, and by working with a healthcare professional to consider other treatments like medications and light-based therapies.
Simple lifestyle changes can also help. For people with rosacea, it is especially important to protect the face from UV light, use gentle skin cleansers, and moisturize regularly.  Counseling and support groups can also help with feelings of embarrassment or depression that can arise from the condition.
<h2>Learn more</h2>
23andMe’s new Rosacea report (Powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all annual members of the 23andMe+ Membership. To view your report, go <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.rosacea/">here</a>.
Not an annual subscriber to the 23andMe+ Membership?
Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">here</a>.

New 23andMe+ Report on Rosacea

23andMe updated its report on an inherited condition characterized by mild to profound hearing loss.
The update to 23andMe’s Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) Carrier Status report* adds six variants that improve the coverage of the test for people with East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian ancestry. 
&#8220;We are extremely excited about this report update, which allows us to provide new and meaningful genetic information to tens of thousands of our customers,&#8221; said 23andMe Product Scientist Ruth Tennen. &#8220;This is one step forward in our efforts to make our health reports more equitable, and to work toward a future in which people of all ancestries can access, understand, and benefit from the human genome.&#8221;<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27848" src="https://blog-api.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inner_ear-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inner_ear-300x199.jpg 300w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/inner_ear.jpg 425w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
The drive behind this update was to add variants that would make the report more relevant to people of diverse ancestries. Because being a carrier for DFNB1 is quite common in people of East Asian and Southeast Asian descent, we prioritized adding variants that are commonly found in those populations. With the addition of the new variants, up to 15 percent of our East Asian and Southeast Asian customers will receive an update indicating that they have a variant detected. More than 1 percent of our South Asian customers will receive a similar update. In total, more than 100,000 Health + Ancestry Service customers across all ancestries will receive an updated report with a new variant detected.
<h6>What is DFNB1?</h6>
This form of nonsyndromic hearing loss and deafness, or DFNB1, is characterized by mild to profound hearing loss that is typically present from birth.<a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> The condition is caused by variants in a gene called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/gjb2/">GJB2</a>, which contains instructions for making a protein that helps transport potassium ions and other molecules between cells. Because proper movement of potassium ions in the inner ear is needed for the brain to process sound, variants that disrupt the function of the GJB2 gene can cause hearing loss.
The condition is <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/inheritance/inheritancepatterns/">autosomal recessive</a>, which means that a person must inherit two GJB2 variants — one from their mom and one from their dad — in order to have the condition. People with just one GJB2 variant are called carriers. They’re not expected to have the condition themselves, but they could pass their variant on to their future children. If two carriers have children, there&#8217;s a 25 percent chance that each child may have DFNB1. DFNB1 is the most common form of autosomal recessive <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/nonsyndromic-hearing-loss/">nonsyndromic hearing loss</a>, accounting for up to half of all cases.<a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a><a id="f3" href="#a3">[3]</a> 
About one in 20 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent,<a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a> one in 20 people of European descent, <a id="f5" href="#a5">[5]</a><a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> and up to one in 4 people of East Asian and Southeast Asian descent<a id="f7" href="#a7">[7]</a><a id="f8" href="#a8">[8]</a><a id="f9" href="#a9">[9]</a> is a carrier for DFNB1. (Being a carrier for DFNB1 is also common in people of other ancestries, but precise estimates are not currently available.)
<h6>Details on the report update</h6>
In our recent report update, we added 6 new variants to the Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) Carrier Status report. These additional variants include some that are particularly common in people of East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian descent. The newly added variants are also frequently found in people of Ashkenazi Jewish, European, Ghanaian, and Hispanic/Latino descent. The previous version of the report included two variants that are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish and European descent.
The improvements between the previous version of the report and the updated version are extensive. For example, our previous report was expected to detect fewer than 1 percent of carriers of East Asian and Southeast Asian descent; the updated report detects 75-99 percent of these carriers, depending on the region of ancestry.<a id="f10" href="#a10">[10]</a> Among people of South Asian descent, the carrier detection rate improved from 0-73 percent to 48-92 percent. In addition, one of the new variants is particularly common in people of Ghanaian descent and provides more than 90 percent coverage for that population.<a id="f10" href="#a10">[10]</a>
<h6>Actionable health information</h6>
Although DFNB1-related hearing loss is not reversible, learning one&#8217;s carrier status can help prospective parents prepare and learn more about support options, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and educational programs. However, it&#8217;s important to note that not everyone who inherits two GJB2 variants (one from each parent) will experience noticeable hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss can also vary depending on which genetic variants a person has, as well as other factors.
In addition to providing carrier status information, the updated report can now inform customers if they have two copies of some tested variants. It can also tell customers with certain combinations of variants that people with their result may have DFNB1-related hearing loss.
The updated Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) Carrier Status report is available to 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service customers who are genotyped on the <a href="https://customercare.23andme.com/hc/en-us/articles/218392668-Upgrading-to-23andMe-s-Newest-Version">V5 version of our chip</a>. 
<h6 class="footnotes">References:</h6>
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<a id="f1" href="#a1">[1]</a> Smith RJH et al. (1998). &#8220;Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1.&#8221; [Accessed Dec 17, 2020].</footer>
<footer class="footnotes"><code style="display: none;"></code> <a id="f2" href="#a2">[2]</a> Shearer AE et al. (1999). &#8220;Hereditary Hearing Loss and Deafness Overview.&#8221; [Accessed Dec 17, 2020]. ].</footer>
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<a id="f3" href="#a3">[3]</a>Chan DK et al. (2014). &#8220;GJB2-associated hearing loss: systematic review of worldwide prevalence, genotype, and auditory phenotype.&#8221; Laryngoscope. 124(2):E34-53.</footer>
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<a id="f4" href="#a4">[4]</a> Dong J et al. (2001). &#8220;Nonradioactive detection of the common Connexin 26 167delT and 35delG mutations and frequencies among Ashkenazi Jews.&#8221; Mol Genet Metab. 73(2):160-3.</footer>
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<a id="f5" href="#a5">[5]</a> Green GE et al. (1999). &#8220;Carrier rates in the midwestern United States for GJB2 mutations causing inherited deafness.&#8221; JAMA. 281(23):2211-6.</footer>
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<a id="f6" href="#a6">[6]</a> Hall A et al. (2012). &#8220;Prevalence and audiological features in carriers of GJB2 mutations, c.35delG and c.101T&gt;C (p.M34T), in a UK population study.&#8221; BMJ Open. 2(4).</footer>
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<a id="f7" href="#a7">[7]</a> Hwa HL et al. (2003). &#8220;Mutation spectrum of the connexin 26 (GJB2) gene in Taiwanese patients with prelingual deafness.&#8221; Genet Med. 5(3):161-5.</footer>
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<a id="f8" href="#a8">[8]</a> Chan OYM et al. (2021). &#8220;Expanded carrier screening using next-generation sequencing of 123 Hong Kong Chinese families: a pilot study.&#8221; Hong Kong Med J. 27(1):177-183.</footer>
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<a id="f9" href="#a9">[9]</a> Wattanasirichaigoon D et al. (2004). &#8220;High prevalence of V37I genetic variant in the connexin-26 (GJB2) gene among non-syndromic hearing-impaired and control Thai individuals.&#8221; Clin Genet. 66(5):452-60.</footer>
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<a id="f10" href="#a10">[10]</a> Tsukada K et al. (2015). &#8220;Ethnic-specific spectrum of GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutations: their origin and a literature review.&#8221; Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 124 Suppl 1:61S-76S.</footer>
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*The 23andMe PGS test uses qualitative genotyping to detect select clinically relevant variants in the genomic DNA of adults for the purpose of reporting carrier status and reporting and interpreting genetic health risks. The relevance of each report may vary based on ethnicity. Our carrier status reports can be used to determine carrier status, but cannot determine if you have two copies of any genetic variant. These carrier reports are not intended to tell you anything about your risk for developing a disease in the future or anything about the health of your fetus, or your newborn child&#8217;s risk of developing a particular disease later in life. For certain conditions, we provide a single report that includes information on both carrier status and genetic health risk. The Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss and Deafness, DFNB1 (GJB2-Related) carrier status report is indicated for the detection of eight variants in the GJB2 gene. The report can tell you if you have two copies of some tested variants, and if you are at risk of having hearing loss related to DFNB1, but does not describe your overall risk of having DFNB1-related hearing loss. This test is relevant for people of many, but not all, ethnicities.

23andMe Improves Carrier Status Report for People with Asian Ancestry

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.

After the Click: Claudia Catches Her Breath

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

Instead of being treated for an illness, most of us would prefer to avoid getting sick in the first place.
But in large measure, our health care system isn’t geared for that. It’s quite good at treating illness but not so good at preventing it. What if you could turn that system on its head and, through genetic testing, identify the risk for a serious illness or disease before it becomes a problem?
Imagine a different kind of clinical care in which patients and their providers could take action earlier to treat or potentially prevent an illness altogether.
23andMe is taking its first steps to do just that.
“By starting with genetics we can give people, and their healthcare providers, better information about risks and potential treatments,&#8221; said Paul Johnson, 23andMe’s Vice President, General Manager, Consumer, and former CEO of Lemonaid Health. “This is a first step toward integrating genetics into everyday care. It has the potential to transform the traditional primary care experience and make personalized healthcare a reality.”
&nbsp;

 <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="512" height="268" src="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Linkedinfacebook-lemonaid.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-29712" srcset="https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Linkedinfacebook-lemonaid.jpeg 512w, https://blogcms.23andme.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Linkedinfacebook-lemonaid-300x157.jpeg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></figure>
 
<h6>An Action Plan</h6>
In the fall, 23andMe acquired the innovative telemedicine company Lemonaid Health. 
For our customers, starting this week, we will be offering genetic report consultations with a Lemonaid Health clinician. These licensed and patient-centric healthcare professionals can help customers better understand the potential impact of their genetic risk profile and discuss the next steps. 
Every day, otherwise healthy 23andMe customers learn of genetic variants that could predispose them to a health condition that could be concerning. These are serious, clinically-relevant conditions. For many of these conditions there may be treatments available, so knowing of a risk offers customers a chance to take steps to prevent or manage them.  
This integration with Lemonaid Health will offer customers who may have learned of an unknown genetic risk through their 23andMe Health Reports, or those who simply have questions about a condition, an opportunity to consult virtually with a clinician about what those risks might mean for them. Together with the clinician, a customer can then create an action plan to address the identified risk if necessary.
<h6>The First Set of Reports</h6>
This first phase of the integration will focus on a subset of 23andMe’s Genetic Health Risk Reports* related to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome caused by variants in the BRCA genes, MUTYH-associated polyposis (a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome), and familial hypercholesterolemia which can cause high cholesterol and early heart attacks. In addition, 23andMe+ members will have the opportunity to share information related to select Pharmacogenetics Reports** when it is appropriate for their care plan. These reports focus on genetic variants that can impact how the customer may process certain medications.
Here are the reports that will be included in the first phase of this program:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) Genetic Health Risk Report*, looks at three genetic variants associated with increased risk for breast cancer (in women and men), ovarian cancer and possibly certain other cancers including prostate and pancreatic cancer. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) Genetic Health Risk Report*, looks at two genetic variants associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) Genetic Health Risk Report*, looks at two dozen genetic variants linked to FH which increases the risk of high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and premature heart attacks.</li>
</ul>
<h6>How it Works</h6>
23andMe customers will be able to connect with Lemonaid Health directly through one of these reports. From there they’ll be able to schedule a consultation with one of Lemonaid’s physicians or nurse practitioners.
A customer can choose to share their 23andMe report data with the Lemonaid Health clinician conducting the consultation. Alternatively, customers can decide to consult with a clinician without sharing their data, and simply discuss their reports or family health history. In either process, the customer and clinician consultation remains confidential. Customers will also have the option to discuss two 23andMe Pharmacogenetics (PGt) reports** (only available to 23andMe+ members) with a doctor or nurse practitioner within the context of the above conditions. 23andMe’s Pharmacogenetics Reports look at how a customer’s DNA may impact the way they process certain medications. 
The initial consultation will be $65, and focuses on helping an individual understand their 23andMe reports in the context of their own health and family history, and what next steps they could take. The discussion will focus on the interplay of genetics along with how their own personal and family health history influences the risk of developing a disease. Confirmatory testing could be recommended at the first consultation. 
Follow-up virtual visits will be $110 after that initial visit. Trained in genetic health concepts, the Lemonaid team may coordinate additional confirmatory testing if necessary or recommend specialist referrals, or they may simply help customers better understand their reports and next steps. Initially, the consultations will be by phone, and reachable through the 23andMe iOS app, Web, and Mobile Web.  The service is currently not available on Android devices.
<h6>Find Out More</h6>
This first step in enabling 23andMe customers to access individualized care powered by genetics delivers on 23andMe’s mission to ensure people can benefit from the human genome. 
Find out more about what 23andMe offers <a href="https://www.23andme.com/?halnup=hath&#038;evr=epv">here</a>.
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*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.  Warnings &amp; Limitations: The 23andMe PGS Genetic Health Risk Report for BRCA1/BRCA2 (Selected Variants) is indicated for reporting of the 185delAG and 5382insC variants in the BRCA1 gene and the 6174delT variant in the BRCA2 gene. The report describes if a woman is at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, and if a man is at increased risk of developing breast cancer or may be at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.  The three variants included in this report are most common in people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and do not represent the majority of BRCA1/BRCA2 variants in the general population. The MUTYH-Associated Polyposis Genetic Health Risk Report is indicated for reporting the Y179C and G396D variants in the MUTYH gene and an increased risk for colorectal cancer.  The two variants included in this report are most common in people of Northern European descent.  These reports do not include variants in other genes linked to hereditary cancers and the absence of variants included in these reports do not rule out the presence of other genetic variants that may impact cancer risk. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional for recommended screenings or appropriate follow-up. Results should be confirmed in a clinical setting before taking any medical action.  For important information and limitations regarding other genetic health risk reports visit  <a href="https://www.23andme.com/test-info">https://www.23andme.com/test-info</a>.  
**23andMe PGS Pharmacogenetics reports: The 23andMe test uses qualitative genotyping to detect 3 variants in the CYP2C19 gene, 2 variants in the DPYD gene, and 1 variant in the SLCO1B1 gene in the genomic DNA of adults from saliva for the purpose of reporting and interpreting information about the processing of certain therapeutics to inform discussions with a healthcare professional. It does not describe if a person will or will not respond to a particular therapeutic and does not describe the association between detected variants and any specific therapeutic. Our CYP2C19 Pharmacogenetics report provides certain information about variants associated with the metabolism of some therapeutics and provides interpretive drug information regarding the potential effect of citalopram and clopidogrel therapy. Results for SLCO1B1 and DPYD and certain CYP2C19 results should be confirmed by an independent genetic test prescribed by your own healthcare provider before taking any medical action. Warning: Test information should not be used to start, stop, or change any course of treatment and does not test for all possible variants that may affect metabolism or protein function. The PGS test is not a substitute for visits to a healthcare professional. Making changes to your current regimen can lead to harmful side effects or reduced intended benefits of your medication, therefore consult with your healthcare professional before taking any medical action. For important information and limitations regarding Pharmacogenetics reports, visit 23andme.com/test-info/pharmacogenetics/

Another Step Toward Unlocking the Power of Genetic Health Information

This week, we released a new report on Glaucoma for 23andMe+ Premium members.
 Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that cause damage to the optic nerve, which relays information from the eye to the brain. This damage, usually caused by an imbalance of fluid and pressure in the eye, can result in gradual vision loss that may start as blind spots or loss of side (peripheral) vision and worsen over time. 
 Over three<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html"> million Americans</a> have glaucoma, and it is the second-leading cause of blindness after macular degeneration. The condition is more prevalent among<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/resources/features/glaucoma-awareness.html"> certain groups</a>, including individuals over 60, Black Americans over 40, and individuals with certain health conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes. It can also run in families.
<h6> About Glaucoma</h6>
There are<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glaucoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20372839#:~:text=Angle%2Dclosure%20glaucoma%2C%20also%20called,the%20eye%20and%20pressure%20increases."> several types</a> of glaucoma. The most common, open-angle glaucoma, happens when a buildup of protein in the eye prevents fluid from draining, causing pressure in the eye to rise slowly. A second type, called angle-closure glaucoma, occurs when the iris bulges forward, blocking the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. Onset can be gradual or sudden.
 Symptoms vary depending on the type and stage of the condition. Signs of gradual onset glaucoma include loss of side (peripheral) vision and blind spots. Signs of sudden onset include headaches, severe eye pain, vision loss, nausea, and vomiting. 
<h6>A New Report</h6>
 The new report, which is powered by data from consented 23andMe research participants, uses machine learning techniques to estimate an individual’s likelihood of developing both open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma.
 This estimate is made using a statistical model that includes more than 8,000 genetic markers and information on an individual’s ethnicity and birth sex.
<h6> Taking Action</h6>
 While early management and medical treatment can slow the progression of glaucoma, there is no cure.
 Several lifestyle interventions have been shown to help manage eye pressure and slow vision loss. Getting regular, moderate exercise can help, as can avoiding inverted yoga positions and other activities that may increase eye pressure. Wearing eye protection to prevent injuries and limiting caffeine consumption is also recommended. 
<h6> Learn More</h6>
 23andMe’s new Glaucoma Report (Powered by 23andMe Research) is available to all annual members of the 23andMe+ Premium membership. To view your report, go <a href="https://you.23andme.com/reports/prs.glaucoma/">here</a>.
Not yet an annual subscriber to the 23andMe+ Premium membership?
Find out more <a href="https://www.23andme.com/membership/">here</a>.

New 23andMe+ Premium Report on Glaucoma

Kim Gugliotta, 56, fills her plate with healthy foods like legumes, vegetables, chicken, fish, and tofu. She walks for at least 30 minutes a day. And she’s a regular on the pickleball courts of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.



But Kim wasn’t always so health-conscious.&nbsp;



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-the-change">Making the change</h6>



Just a few years ago, she would have opted for “steak and cheeseburgers” and would have been tempted to skip her daily walk. But once she received reports from her <a href="https://www.23andme.com/dna-health-ancestry/">23andMe Health + Ancestry test</a>, everything changed.



Kim, a 23andMe+ member, discovered from her reports that she had an increased genetic likelihood of developing coronary artery disease, something she’d not heard before nor expected given that she had no family history of it. A visit to her cardiologist revealed that she had dyslipidemia, an imbalance of lipids that contributes to the development of clogged arteries. She was immediately put on medication and counseled about lifestyle changes.



She considers herself lucky. 



“My doctor was able to prescribe me a statin which probably saved me from years of damage to my arteries! And prolonged my life,” Kim said.&nbsp;



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<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health">Heart health</h6>



Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and men in the US, killing more than 600,000 people each year, <a href="https://www.waff.com/2022/03/09/take-action-your-heatlh-with-23and-me/">said</a> Davis Liu, M.D., chief clinical officer and physician for <a href="https://www.lemonaidhealth.com/">Lemonaid Health</a>. Lifestyle changes, medication, and genetic testing can all be part of a proactive strategy to protect and improve heart health.



“At 23andMe, we have about <a href="https://blog.23andme.com/health-traits/heart-health/">eight reports</a>* that touch on your heart health in one way or another,” <a href="https://www.wtkr.com/coast-live/genetic-testing-for-heart-health-on-coast-live">explained</a> Alisa Lehman, Ph.D., a senior product scientist at 23andMe. “In these reports, we can tell you if you have an increased likelihood of developing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. Once you have that information, you can work with your doctor to make a plan to try and prevent or manage those conditions.”



Kim knows firsthand just how important that information can be.&nbsp;



“This is our health – let’s find out what kind of issues we may or may not have.”



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*23andMe health predisposition reports include both reports that meet FDA requirements for genetic health risks and reports which are based on 23andMe research and have not been reviewed by the FDA. The 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. For important information and limitations regarding each genetic health risk report, visit 23andme.com/test-info/.

Health + Traits — Page 12