Information about genetic ancestry has a great value in health studies and other related areas of expertise such as anthropology, forensics and pharmacogenomics. In this review, we highlight several aspects of health that can be significantly improved by better understanding of genetic ancestry. These observations were made possible based on our own medical genetic research in Asia/Pacific populations (i.e. in particular regarding Maori and Orang Asli of New Zealand and Peninsular Malaysia, respectively). The major objectives of this programme of investigations has been to capture and understand genetic diversity in these populations and subsequently to make recommendations in order to maximise the health benefits of this type of population genetic research.