Category: genomics

Ushering Public Health Practice into the 21st Century

Public Health Genomics

The April 2012  special issue of the journal Public Health Genomics includes 13 articles from the many presentations at the 4th National Conference on Genomics and Public Health in the United States: “Using Genetic Information to Improve Health Now and In the Future”.  The three-day conference sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  Read More >

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

Evidence Matters in Genomic Medicine

EGAPP logo

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

Making Universal Screening for Lynch Syndrome a Reality: The Lynch Syndrome Screening Network

flow chart individual

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 Deb Duquette, MS, CGC & Sarah Mange, MPH- Michigan Department of Community Health; Cecelia Bellcross, PhD, MS- Emory University; Heather Hampel, MS, CGC- The Ohio State University; Kory Jasperson, MS, CGC- Huntsman Cancer Institute (Authors are all from the Lynch Syndrome Screening Network (LSSN) Founding Board of Directors)1 CommentTags , , , , ,

The Public Health Approach to Genetic Testing in the 21st Century: Saving Lives and Saving Unnecessary Healthcare Costs

vials on top of money

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 Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention4 CommentsTags , , , ,

Can Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young be Prevented?

kids playing basketball

A Michigan Story on Lessons Learned and Action Steps to Take The winter months have arrived and with them comes a certain madness, specifically March Madness.  On March 12, 2012 the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament will commence.  Most of the focus will be on cheering for the teams we picked to win our brackets; Read More >

Posted on by Debra Duquette, MS, CGC, Genomics Coordinator & Beth Anderson, MPH, Genomics Epidemiologist, Michigan Department of Community Health5 CommentsTags , , , , , ,

Emerging Evidence for the Benefits of Systematic Collection of Family History in Primary Care

a family

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 Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention3 CommentsTags , , ,

No Genome is an Island

Vibrio vulnificus bacteria

There was no cholera in Haiti until October 2010, when epidemic cholera swept the country. Within 6 months, more than 250,000 people were sickened and 4,000 died. A catastrophic earthquake earlier that year had exacerbated human and environmental risks by displacing millions of people and disrupting public health infrastructure. But there would have been no Read More >

Posted on by Marta Gwinn, Consultant, McKing Consulting Corp, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 CommentTags , , , ,

Family Health History and the Holidays

family watching TV

During the holiday season, many of us will be watching our favorite holiday movies for the umpteenth time.  Some of our favorites (according to Gayot, Moviefone and Yahoo  are Home Alone, A Christmas Story, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Most holiday movies seem to have relatives as central characters and family gatherings Read More >

Posted on by Ruta Sharangpani MD, MPH, Bureau of Disease Control Prevention and Epidemiology, Michigan Department of Community Health & Debra Duquette, MS, CGC, Genomics Coordinator, Michigan Department of Community Health1 CommentTags ,

Beyond Base Pairs to Bedside: A Community Consultation on Closing the Gap between Genomic Discoveries and the Public’s Health

Priorities for Public Health Genomics 2012-2017

In June 2011, the CDC Office of Public Health Genomics launched a community wide consultation process to develop priorities for the field of public health genomics in the next 5 years. This process was initiated as part of strategic visioning for integrating the emerging tools of genomics into practice and assuring the success of these Read More >

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

A Million Hearts, A Thousand Genes, and Your Family History

Million Hearts

In September 2011, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced a new initiative  to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the United States in the next 5 years. This campaign will implement proven, effective, and inexpensive interventions in both clinical and community settings. In clinical practice, it will improve management of Read More >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention3 CommentsTags , , , , ,