Category: health equity
Population-based Genomic Screening Programs: The Need for Optimal Implementation to Ensure Health Equity
Population genomic screening of adults has emerged as a strategy to promote prevention of common diseases such as cancer and heart disease among persons with genetic conditions. This type of screening has the potential to identify millions of currently undetected people in the United States who are at risk of preventable diseases for which evidence-based Read More >
Posted on byGenomics, Health Equity, and Global Health
The World Health Organization’s Science Council recently issued its first report on accelerating access to genomics for global health. The report makes a strong case for less-resourced countries to gain access to such technologies. Although remarkable progress has been made in the translation of genomic discoveries into health benefits, in 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminded Read More >
Posted on byImproving access to genetic services for underserved populations: Amish, Mennonite, and other Plain communities
Lack of access to genetic services in rural areas could contribute to disparities in quality of care, but tailored approaches can overcome some barriers and improve care. Here we present the example of the Midwest Genetics Network (MGN) outreach with the Plain communities. Plain people are descendants of the Anabaptists who emigrated to the United Read More >
Posted on byGenomics and Health Equity: Reaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities
On April 29, 2022, President Biden proclaimed May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage month to “recognize the innumerable contributions, vibrant cultures, and rich heritage” of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs). In addition, the proclamation highlights the Administration’s work reducing poverty among AA and NHPI families and Read More >
Posted on byAssessing Pharmacogenetic Variation in the United States to Enhance Health Equity of Pharmacogenetic Testing
CDC’s Genetic Testing Reference Material program (GeT-RM), in the Division of Laboratory Systems will conduct a 2-year project to test 5000 DNA samples from the population-based National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to determine the allele frequencies of 970 unique haplotypes in 150 pharmacogenes selected because they have high clinical annotation levels of evidence Read More >
Posted on byEpigenetics: An Emerging Tool for Health Equity Science
A recent review provides recommendations to improve the scientific investigation of the associations between epigenetic markers, socioeconomic status, and adverse health outcomes. Health equity means that everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Health equity science studies the association between social determinants of health (SDOH) and adverse health outcomes. SDOH refer to Read More >
Posted on byGenomics and Precision Medicine 2021: Progress in Implementation, A Focus on Health Equity, and a New Public Health Initiative
In this post, we reflect on another eventful year in genomics and precision medicine and review the emerging opportunities for the field to make an impact on population health. We use the annual review published by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) along with our own website updates, and blogs as a springboard for Read More >
Posted on byToward Achieving Health Equity for People with Genetic Disorders
If health equity is about making sure that everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible, public health efforts to achieve health equity must include people with genetic disorders. Some might consider having a genetic disorder a health inequity itself—one present from birth and over which affected individuals have limited control. Thousands of Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsPublic Health Genomics Priorities Through a Health Equity Lens
Achieving Health Equity in Genomics and Precision Medicine is More Important than Ever The CDC Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health is undergoing strategic planning to identify priorities and actions for genomics and precision medicine. As we embark on this work, we are focusing on health equity. The potential for genomics and precision medicine Read More >
Posted on byPersonal 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 >
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