A new Lancet Commission on Precision Health has been launched to develop a comprehensive framework for integrating precision approaches into health systems worldwide. Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, Lund university and Genomic Medicine Sweden are contributing to the work, with a particular focus on ensuring equitable access, including in resource-limited settings
The Lancet Commission on Precision Health brings together experts from around the world with the aim of developing the evidence base for a final report that will provide recommendations on how precision health can be implemented equitably at a global level. The work is led by Chair Paul Franks, Professor at Lund University and from Karolinska Institutet participates Richard Rosenquist Brandell, Anders Kämpe and Zahra Haider.
Working groups map different areas
“I lead one of the working groups focusing on mapping how precision medicine and precision health have been implemented globally to date, as well as assessing the extent to which individuals have access to these approaches,” says Richard Rosenquist Brandell, Professor of Clinical Genetics, the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Director of Genomic Medicine Sweden.
Richard Rosenquist Brandell. Photo: Cecilia Österholm Corbascio
“As part of this work, we will analyze the types of infrastructure and competencies required to enable precision health, and identify the changes needed to make this feasible going forward,” he continues.
The Commission focuses on cancer, cardiometabolic diseases, respiratory disorders, and mental health. The goal is to formulate concrete and actionable recommendations for how precision health can be integrated into the future of healthcare systems, regardless of varying economic conditions.
“This is critically important work, particularly to ensure that advances in precision health do not contribute to widening disparities, either between or within countries. A central focus is to promote equitable access, especially for underrepresented groups,” says Richard Rosenquist Brandell.
Publication
The Lancet Commission on precision health: equitable, data-driven health outcomes for all.
Franks PW, Lim LL, Ramsay M, Chotirmall SH, Abedalthagafi MS, Ali R, K SB, Ford J, Giordano GN, Hamdi Y, Kieling C, Leal J, Li F, Lopes-Cendes I, Lyons L, Misra S, Owolabi MO, Rosenquist R, Tandon N, Tsosie KS, Udler MS, Smeden MV, Verguet S, Wason J
Lancet 2026 May.
The Lancet Commission
A Lancet Commission is an initiative of the medical journal The Lancet, one of the world’s most respected scientific publications in medicine and health. These commissions are established to explore, analyse and propose solutions to major global health challenges that require interdisciplinary collaboration.
Photo: Lancet Commission Precision Health kick-off meeting in Kuala Lumpur (Dr. LIM Lee-Ling)