Precision Public Health Applications of Polygenic Risk Scores for Alzheimer’s disease: Evidence, Equity, and Implementation Challenges

Bamuraza Nfukwe W.

Faculty of Medicine Kampala International University Uganda

 ABSTRACT

Advances in genomic medicine have enabled the emergence of precision public health, with polygenic risk scores (PRS) offering novel tools for population-level risk stratification and intervention. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder globally, exhibits a polygenic architecture that can be quantified through PRS derived from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). PRS for AD facilitates the prediction of disease onset, cognitive decline, and identification of high-risk individuals, potentially informing early detection, prevention strategies, and resource allocation in public health. However, challenges persist, including limited validation across diverse populations, potential exacerbation of health inequities, data infrastructure and privacy concerns, integration into existing public health frameworks, and workforce capacity for implementation. Evidence highlights the need for population-specific PRS development, robust longitudinal studies, and equitable governance frameworks to maximize public health benefit while mitigating ethical, social, and economic risks. Strategic application of PRS in AD may enhance preventive interventions, optimize resource allocation, and support informed policymaking in precision public health.

Keywords: Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Precision Public Health, Risk Stratification, and Health Equity.

CITE AS: Bamuraza Nfukwe W. (2026). Precision Public Health Applications of Polygenic Risk Scores for Alzheimer’s disease: Evidence, Equity, and Implementation Challenges. RESEARCH INVENTION JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PHARMACY 5(1): 74-81. https://doi.org/10.59298/RIJPP/2026/517481