People keen on preventive healthcare, says Mapmygenome founder Anu Acharya

In a wide-ranging interview, Anu Acharya, Founder and CEO of MapMyGenome, shared her observations on the rapidly shifting attitudes toward preventive healthcare in India — and how genomics is at the center of this transformation.

A Shift in Mindset

"We are seeing a fundamental shift in how Indians think about their health," says Anu Acharya. "For decades, healthcare in India was almost entirely reactive — you went to a doctor when you were sick. Now, we're seeing a growing segment of the population that wants to understand their health proactively — before symptoms appear. The pandemic accelerated this shift dramatically."

MapMyGenome has seen significant growth in demand for its preventive health genetic tests, particularly Genomepatri — the company's flagship comprehensive DNA wellness test. "People are coming to us not because they're sick, but because they want to understand their genetic predispositions and take action before disease develops. That's a profound change."

Genomics as the Foundation of Preventive Health

"Your DNA is the most fundamental information about your health," Anu explains. "It tells you which conditions you're predisposed to, how your body responds to different foods and medications, and what lifestyle interventions will have the greatest impact for you specifically. This information is the foundation of truly personalized preventive healthcare."

She emphasizes that genetic information is not deterministic. "Your genes are not your destiny. They tell you where you're vulnerable — and that knowledge allows you to take targeted action. Someone with a high genetic risk for cardiovascular disease can be more aggressive about diet, exercise, and lipid management. Someone with a high genetic risk for diabetes can prioritize blood sugar management from an early age. The knowledge empowers action."

The Role of Technology

"Technology is making preventive genomics accessible in ways that weren't possible even five years ago," Anu notes. "At-home saliva collection, next-generation sequencing, and digital report delivery mean that anyone in India can access comprehensive genetic health insights without visiting a lab or clinic. We're democratizing access to information that was previously available only to the wealthy or well-connected."

The Future of Preventive Healthcare in India

"I believe we're at an inflection point," Anu says. "The combination of falling genomic testing costs, rising health awareness, and digital health infrastructure means that personalized preventive healthcare is about to become mainstream in India. MapMyGenome is committed to being at the forefront of that transformation."