Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) in Population Health
A major shift in 2026 is the use of Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) for preventative health. PRS combines thousands of small genetic variants to calculate an individual's overall risk for a condition.
Cardiovascular Risk: The NHS is trialing PRS alongside traditional risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol) to identify "high-risk" individuals in their 30s who may benefit from early statin therapy or lifestyle interventions.
Cancer Screening: Women with a high PRS for breast cancer, even without a BRCA mutation, are being offered more frequent or earlier screenings.
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