Genomics and Precision Health Posts
Public Health Genomics: 15 Years On
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 byFrom Genetic Counseling in Individuals to Cascade Screening in Populations: An Emerging Role for Public Health Practice
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 1 CommentNew Strategies For Public Health Genomics Beyond Newborn Screening
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 2 CommentsEvidence Matters in Genomic Medicine—Round 3: Integrating Family Health History into Clinical Preventive Services
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 byMore Workings of an Evidence-Based Genomic Panel: Modernizing the Evidence Review Process
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 byWhat Gets Measured Gets Done: Genomics, Surveillance Indicators and Healthy People 2020
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 byNow Watch This: Genomic Epidemiology
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 byEvidence Matters in Genomic Medicine- Round 2: Integrating Cancer Genomic Tests
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 1 CommentThink After You Spit: Personal Genomic Tests May Offer a Teachable Moment
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 1 CommentPeeling the Pyramid, Scaling the Onion—How to Implement Genomic Medicine
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 >
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