Category: genomics

When Should You Be Screened for Colorectal Cancer?

DNA and a person with their colon shown

Starting at the right time saves lives. People with a family history of CRC may need to start much earlier. Doctors and public health professionals strive to live by the creed “First, do no harm” but often wrestle with difficult choices, including when and how often screening tests should be conducted. Effective prevention of colorectal Read More >

Posted on by Scott Bowen, Office of Public Health Genomics; Lisa Richardson, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control; and Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaLeave a comment
Categories colorectal cancer, genomics, screening

What is the Value of Rapid Genomic Sequencing in Acute Infant Care?

sequencing with a double helix and a baby in the hospital

Rapid genomic sequencing includes both rapid genome sequencing (rGS) and rapid exome sequencing (rES). Proponents argue that next generation sequencing (NGS) in acutely ill infants can deliver timely diagnostic results and enable life-changing clinical interventions. An international group of experts recently published a white paper in Genetics in Medicine that made the following assertions: Demonstration Read More >

Posted on by Scott Grosse, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 Comment
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A Road Map for Evaluation and Appropriate Implementation of Genome Sequencing to Improve Population Health

a road paved with sequencing and figures on the side of the road

This blog is a summary of our recently published paper in PLOS Medicine, and is an update of my 2011 blog on “binning” the human genome. A common vision for genomic medicine is that genome sequencing will be routinely used in health systems to provide health care and preventive services tailored to each individual. For Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionLeave a comment
Categories genomics

Tracking Progress in Public Health Genomics at CDC: A New CDC-Authored Genomics Publication Database

screenshot of the CDC-authored Genomics Publication Database in the PHGKB

Are you curious about the progress CDC is making in genomic research? With the ever-increasing amount of scientific literature on genomics in public health—from infectious diseases to chronic diseases and environmental health—a new database offers timely updates on genomic research by CDC staff. The CDC’s Office of Public Health Genomics, has launched a new CDC-Authored Read More >

Posted on by Wei Yu and Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GeorgiaLeave a comment
Categories genomics
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Using Genetic Risk Scores in Cancer Screening: Are We There Yet?

a person looking at data and chromosomes and a cancer cell

Precision screening seeks to measure benefits and risks of screening more accurately by accounting for individual-level differences, such as those in genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors. Accounting for individual differences may allow risk stratification to identify persons whose cancer risk is high enough that the benefits of screening would outweigh potential harms or whose cancer Read More >

Posted on by Megan C Roberts, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, The National Cancer Institute, and Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionLeave a comment
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Consumer Genetic Testing Is Booming: But What are the Benefits and Harms to Individuals and Populations?

a shelf of DTC genetic testing kits

Initially a Niche Market for Very Few with Small Population Impact The first genetic tests directly available to consumers for health were offered in 1996. The concept, then, was both audacious and bold: the idea that individuals could explore their own human genome without the aid of a health care provider to order the test Read More >

Posted on by Scott Bowen and Muin J, Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia3 Comments
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Stimulating Implementation Science in Genomics and Precision Medicine for Heart, Lung, Blood and Sleep Diseases: The Case of Familial Hypercholesterolemia

a heart puzzle with a person holding data charts

Implementation science is an emerging field of scientific inquiry that has been increasingly applied to genomics and precision medicine. In our recent papers on the state of scientific publications and NIH funding, we have identified areas of growth and limitations of the field and called for more training and workforce development for implementation science in Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and George Mensah, Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science, National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteLeave a comment
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Precision Public Health: What Is It?

Precision Public Health with a figure looking through a magnifying glass at a globe surrounded by DNA

In the past two years the term “precision public health” has been increasingly used in the scientific literature and at professional meetings. A quick PubMed search of the term shows 28 papers (as of April 30, 2018) dating back to our 2016 paper, “Precision Public Health for the Era of Precision Medicine.” The papers cover Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 Comment
Categories genomics, precision public health

Universal Screening for Lynch Syndrome: Can Tumor Sequencing Have a Larger Public Health Impact on Treatment and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer?

Universal Screening with an arrow labeled Lynch Syndrome and DNA below it

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary syndrome associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), accounting for about 3% of CRC patients. LS is a dominantly inherited condition with mutations in several mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Persons with LS are also at increased risk for endometrial and other cancers. Lynch syndrome affects 1 Read More >

Posted on by Muin J. Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, and Heather Hampel, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, OhioLeave a comment
Categories genomics, screening
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Evaluating the Impact of Precision Medicine: How Ivacaftor Reduces Hospitalizations of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

a blister pack of tablets and thee blue tablets out on the table

Precision medicine takes into account individual factors in treating disease, targeting interventions to patients that can benefit the most. Population-based studies evaluating precision medicine approaches are important to determine whether the field can fulfill its promise for improved health outcomes. A prime example of precision medicine is ivacaftor, a small molecule drug originally developed to Read More >

Posted on by Ridgely Fisk Green, Office of Public Health Genomics and Scott Grosse, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionLeave a comment
Categories genomics, precision medicine
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