HI HR74

Request the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to conduct a study investigating the prevalence of the RS-12252-C variation of the IFITM3 gene among Asian and Pacific Islander residents in Hawaii and compare severity of viral infection to other ethnicities.

Study should analyze DNA samples to determine the risk severity for carriers of the RS-12252-C variation to contract serious COVID-19 and dangerous influenza infections.

The RS-12252-C variation occurs in approximately 25 percent of persons of Chinese descent and 44 percent of persons of Japanese descent, but only 8 percent of those of European or sub-Saharan African descent.

University of Hawaii is requested to submit a report of findings to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the start of the 2022 Regular Session.

Department of Health is requested to incorporate the research findings into its public health and pandemic planning efforts.