Category: genetic testing
What 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 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 CommentWorkings of an Evidence-Based Genomic Panel
Synopsis of the 24th Meeting of the Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Working Group The EGAPP working group (EWG) has held 24 meetings in the 7 years since they were first convened; the latest EGAPP meeting was May 7-8, 2012 on the campus of CDC in Atlanta. Since it is Read More >
Posted on byGenomic Tests and Population Health: An Online Catalog to Promote a Conversation on Evolving Evidence
With the rapid emergence of genomic tests, healthcare providers, patients and policy makers need to know how useful they are and whether the benefits of their use outweigh potential harms to patients, families, and the population. CDC’s Office of Public Health Genomics now offers a list of health-related genomic tests and applications, stratified into Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsEvidence Matters in Genomic Medicine
A new IOM report makes recommendations that aim to ensure that progress in omics-based test development is grounded in sound scientific evidence and is reproducible, resulting in improved health care and continued public trust in research. Another new IOM roundtable workshop report discussed the differences in evidence required for clinical use, regulatory oversight, guideline inclusion, coverage, Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentMaking Universal Screening for Lynch Syndrome a Reality: The Lynch Syndrome Screening Network
Every day, about 400 people in the United States are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Approximately twelve of them have Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition that increases the risk of colorectal cancer and other cancers. Identifying people with Lynch syndrome could have substantial health benefits for them, their families, and communities. Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentThe Public Health Approach to Genetic Testing in the 21st Century: Saving Lives and Saving Unnecessary Healthcare Costs
In March 2012, a prominent health insurer in the United States released a white paper entitled: “Personalized Medicine: trends and prospects for the new science of genetic testing and molecular diagnostics” By analyzing their own claims data, the report suggests that in 2010, the cost of genetic and molecular diagnostic testing for its members was about $500 Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsEmerging Evidence for the Benefits of Systematic Collection of Family History in Primary Care
When it comes to the use of genomic tests and technologies in practice, Dr Al Berg is a skeptic. Dr Berg is the founding chair of the CDC-sponsored Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Working Group that has been evaluating genomic tests for more than 5 years. He also chaired the National Institutes Read More >
Posted on by 3 CommentsThink Before You Spit: Do Personal Genomic Tests Improve Health?
Campaigns against public spitting in the 19th century were largely driven by concerns about the spread of tuberculosis. However, at the beginning of the 21st century, spitting seems to be making a comeback. Over the past few years, several companies have begun offering personal genomic tests online to the public. There have been famous images of Read More >
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