Health benefits provider Aetna International is rolling out DNA testing for its European members as an optional part of the wellness plans it offers.
The test will exclusively look at health and lifestyle, including nutrigenomics (the relationships between what we eat and the biochemical response), fitness, sleep and stress.
A spokesperson confirmed to International Adviser that the test will have zero bearing on the coverage it offers to members.
Taking the test
From 23 May, European employers that are starting or renewing their contract with Aetna International can purchase the DNA kit for employees as an add-on product.
It is currently only available through EU brokers with clients anywhere in the world – except France and India.
The test is in the form of a mouth swab, which is sent to a certified UK lab for analysis.
Members must register their kit online and provide their consent. They are then notified by email when their test has been processed and can log in to a digital portal to explore and download their results.
They can then book a consultation appointment with an expert in nutrition and fitness to discuss changes they may like to make to their lifestyle.
Later on, follow-up help and assistance can also be accessed from a number of Aetna’s wellbeing and behavioural health resources.
Digital and social support
Caroline Pain, senior vice president, customer proposition, at Aetna International, said: “We’re increasingly seeing people take a proactive approach to health, effectively becoming partners in their own care. It’s now possible to take a highly targeted approach to holistic wellbeing, with hyper-personalised and predictive health care.
“By introducing this type of DNA testing, we’re ensuring our members have the opportunity to take advantage of these advances, combining an awareness of their genetics with digital and social support in changing their behaviours for the better.”
She added: “Genetic health and lifestyle testing is at the point of being mainstream, but there are a number of areas in which responsible providers need to tread carefully. Privacy is one, quality of tests is another, and knowing how to reliably interpret results is a third.
“Our members have the reassurance that all three are taken care of.”
