Category: public health

Data for Action in Public Health Genomics: Ensuring Equitable Implementation of Genomic Applications Across the Lifespan

data, a babies foot, a genetic counselor talking to a woman, an extended family

In the more than 20 years since the completion of the Human Genome Project, basic and clinical research have delivered on the promise to develop genomic applications that can help prevent and treat many diseases across the lifespan. However, efforts to ensure equitable implementation of genomic applications have fallen short particularly among racial and ethnic Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Katherine Kolor and Scott Bowen, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaLeave a commentTags

Public Health Genomics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Happy 25th Anniversary!

Happy 25th Anniversary! Photos of the people of the Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health through the 25 years

In 1997, in response to the Human Genome Project, the CDC formed the Office of Genetics and Disease Prevention, now called the Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health (OGPPH). This was the beginning of the public health genomics movement in the United States and around the world. Our office continues to serve CDC programs, Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia1 Comment

Preeclampsia, Genomics and Public Health

a doctor checking the blood pressure of a pregnant person

A recent study identified a cell free RNA (cfRNA) signature that was promising in predicting pre-eclampsia several weeks before the onset of symptoms. At 29 weeks pregnant, Erica was diagnosed with preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and signs of organ failure, most often liver or kidney damage. According to the Mayo Read More >

Posted on by Erica L. Dawson, Population Health Surveillance Branch, Division of Population Health, National Center on Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention3 CommentsTags

What is the Role of Public Health in Addressing Health Equity in Genomics and Precision Medicine?

a couple talking to a professional with a double helix

The following are excerpts from our recent paper in Genetics in Medicine. Although recent articles have included strong calls for a health equity agenda in genomics and precision medicine, these calls usually focus on underrepresentation of minority and ethnic populations in research.  However, to ensure that genomic discoveries can lead to improved population health outcomes, Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 Comment

The Current Landscape of CDC Publications in Human Genomics and Public Health

sequencing with a double helix and a doctor pointing to different icons above a farm field

In October 2021, the CDC Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health (OGPPH) launched a new, five-year initiative to strengthen public health capacity in genomics and precision medicine. The emergence of evidence-based genomic applications and lack of equity in their implementation in clinical and public health practice provided an important impetus for this initiative. To Read More >

Posted on by Mindy Clyne, W. David Dotson, Anja Wulf, Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaLeave a comment

An Expanding List of Tier 1 Genomic Applications: Evidence-based Guidelines for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Public Health

a heart in a body with the text: Tier 1 Genomic Applications

The CDC Tier-Classified Guideline Database includes three Tier 1 guidelines on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). A 2014 guideline from the European Society of Cardiology, a 2017 guideline from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and Heart Rhythm Society, and a 2020 guideline from the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology all recommend Read More >

Posted on by Michael A. Burke and Laurence S. Sperling, Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, W. David Dotson and Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia2 CommentsTags , ,

What should be the public health priorities in genomics and precision medicine in the next decade?

Public Health Priorities for the next Decade with two figures looking at data with a double helix

The CDC Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health is undergoing strategic planning to identify major opportunities for impact of public health action in human genomics and precision medicine in the next decade. As part of this process, we interviewed nine persons external to CDC from diverse backgrounds and organizations that represent the leading edge Read More >

Posted on by Katherine Kolor, Ridgely Fisk Green, and Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia1 Comment

What is Public Health Genomics? A Day in the Invisible Life of Public Health Genomics (an Encore)

Public Health Genomics with professionals looking at a double helix with a calendar

We published this blog a decade ago. As we celebrate 2021 public health genomics week, we republish the blog to remind our readers of the relevance of genomics to many areas of public health. The topics discussed  here may be outdated but the fundamental applications of public health genomics are today more important than ever. Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaLeave a comment

Personal Reflections on Genomics, Health Equity, and Public Health

My nephew, Eddie, and niece, Sheri, were lively, witty, high-spirited, active, bright, and full of hope. Eddie dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, while Sheri aspired to become a mathematical engineer. But their childhood diagnoses with a type of kidney disease called nephrotic syndrome ended those dreams. While nephrotic syndrome can be inherited, we Read More >

Posted on by Michelle Rose, Office of Science Scientific Rotation 2020–2021 cohort, and Ridgely Fisk Green, Office of Genomics and Precision Public HealthLeave a commentTags

From Genes to Public Health: Building the Evidence Base for DNA-based Population Screening

sequencing with a double helix with figures in the foreground

This blog post is a summary of our recent commentary in Genetics in Medicine. The use of genetics in population screening long predates the Human Genome Project. For more than 60 years, newborn screening has been a successful public health program that has resulted in major improvements in outcomes for infants with genetic and other Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury MD, PhD, and W. David Dotson, PhD, Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaLeave a comment