Genomics and Precision Health Blog – Archive Posts

Public Health Genomics: 15 Years On

double helix with the number 15

In 2012, the United States and the United Kingdom marked 15 years of public health genomics, a multidisciplinary field that deals with the effective and responsible translation of genome-based science to improve population health. Fifteen years ago, a new era of personalized healthcare and disease prevention seemed only around the corner. However, the promise of Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags , ,

From Genetic Counseling in Individuals to Cascade Screening in Populations: An Emerging Role for Public Health Practice

genetic counseling

There are more than 2500 diseases for which genetic testing is currently available. Most of these diseases are individually rare conditions but collectively affect millions of individuals and families worldwide. Genetic diseases are usually caused by mutations in one or a few genes that may confer a high risk of illness, disability and early death. Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 CommentTags ,

New Strategies For Public Health Genomics Beyond Newborn Screening

Opening speaker, Dr. Ursula Bauer Director, NCCDPHP discusses a point later in the day with Dr. Khoury, OPHG Director

A Working Meeting and an Action Plan to Save Lives Now Nearly 2 million Americans are affected by one of three genetic conditions with a strong risk of early morbidity and mortality: BRCA 1/2 and hereditary breast and ovarian cancer; Lynch syndrome and colorectal , endometrial and ovarian cancer; and familial hypercholesterolemia and early cardiovascular events.  At Read More >

Posted on by Scott Bowen and Karen Greendale, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention2 CommentsTags , , ,

Evidence Matters in Genomic Medicine—Round 3: Integrating Family Health History into Clinical Preventive Services

stacked boxes with pedigree

A new podcast from the CDC Expert Commentary Series on Medscape—Family Health History: Use It to Inform Preventive Services for Your Patients— describes how family health history can inform the delivery of preventive health services.   The podcast presents three case studies based on recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF):  screening for lipid Read More >

Posted on by Katherine Kolor and Muin J Khoury, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags , , , ,

More Workings of an Evidence-Based Genomic Panel: Modernizing the Evidence Review Process

EGAPP logo

The independent EGAPP working group (EWG) held its 25th meeting on September 10-11, 2012 at the CDC campus in Atlanta. Highlights included: Three EWG recommendation statements on the validity and utility of genetic tests are pending publication on: KRAS, BRAF and other markers involved in EGFR signaling, which are used to inform choice of therapies for Read More >

Posted on by W. David Dotson and Michael P. Douglas, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags ,

What Gets Measured Gets Done: Genomics, Surveillance Indicators and Healthy People 2020

graph

Public health surveillance indicators, such as those developed for the Healthy People initiative are useful for monitoring the development of genomic medicine in the United States. For several decades, Healthy People has established health benchmarks that are considered important metrics for tracking progress in health and healthcare in the United States. Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury and Katherine Kolor, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags , , ,

Now Watch This: Genomic Epidemiology

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria

Late last year, Science magazine published a list of six Areas to Watch in 2012. Number 6 on the list, NASA’s Curiosity rover, recently touched down on Mars. The Higgs boson (#1) has been found, faster-than-light neutrinos (#2) have been debunked, and further developments on stem-cell metabolism (#3) and treatments for intellectual disability (#5) are Read More >

Posted on by Marta Gwinn, Consultant, McKing Consulting Corp, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags ,

Evidence Matters in Genomic Medicine- Round 2: Integrating Cancer Genomic Tests

stacked boxes with lettering

  In a previous blog, CDC’s Office of Public Health Genomics announced a list of health-related genomic tests and applications, stratified into three tiers according to the availability of scientific evidence and evidence-based recommendations as a result of systematic reviews.  The list is intended to promote information exchange and dialogue among researchers, providers, policy makers, and Read More >

Posted on by Michael P. Douglas and W. David Dotson, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 CommentTags , , ,

Think After You Spit: Personal Genomic Tests May Offer a Teachable Moment

Patient is showing physician her DTC genetic test results

Personal genomic tests are now widely available and sold directly to consumers, but population-based data are limited on awareness, use and impact of these tests. In collaboration with 4 state public health genomics programs, we have recently reported  on consumer awareness and use of personal genomic tests using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury and Katherine Kolor, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 CommentTags , , ,

Peeling the Pyramid, Scaling the Onion—How to Implement Genomic Medicine

pyramid of onion slices

In spite of the promise of genomics and related technologies for a new era of precision healthcare and disease prevention, only a handful of genomic tests and applications have been recommended for use in clinical practice. Nevertheless, implementation of even the few recommended genomic tests is lagging.  For example, implementing the 2005 USPSTF recommendation on genetic Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTags , , ,