Category: genomics

Genomics in Public Health Preparedness: Chance Favors the Prepared Mind

pyramid with Environment (people, animals, plants, microbes) on top; in the left corner Pathogen (bacterial, viral, parasite); in the right corner Host (human, animal)

Contagion, catastrophe, even “zombie apocalypse”— whatever the threat, an all hazards approach goes a long way toward protecting individuals and communities. But besides delivering broad-spectrum medical and technical support, the public health system has to be ready to investigate. Public health sciences help keep “better safe than sorry” from becoming “better luck next time” by Read More >

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

Think (Again) Before You Spit: Readers Weigh In

woman looking at test tube thinking (text: Think (Again) Before You Spit

We thank our readers for their thoughtful comments on our recent post, which discussed the validity and utility of personal genomic tests for improving health. Clearly, this topic engenders a range of reactions as reflected in a recent scientific discussion. Several people I know have sought testing for various reasons, including curiosity, genealogic research, or just Read More >

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

Think Before You Spit: Do Personal Genomic Tests Improve Health?

Think Before You Spit- a woman looking at a test tube

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 >

Posted on by Muin J Khoury, Director, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention11 CommentsTags , ,

Shall We Have Pie or Stew?

a pie cut in almost half with the smaller piece labeled Environmental and the larger piece labeled Genetic

 Understanding Genetic and Environmental Causes of Human Disease A recent article in the Archives of General Psychiatry by Hallmayer et al. discussed the role of genetic and environmental factors in autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASD).  The study was a heritability analysis of 192 pairs of twins, which attributed 37 percent of the variation in Read More >

Posted on by Scott Bowen, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention15 CommentsTags , , ,

We Asked…You Answered…Thank You!

Thank you

What are the key priorities for the field of public health genomics for the next five years?  What can stakeholders accomplish together to achieve measurable health impact by applying genomics to significant public health issues? On June 30, 2011 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Request for Information (RFI) for comments, Read More >

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

Medications for the Masses? Pharmacogenomics is an Important Public Health Issue

may pills with DNA

Adverse drug events are a serious public health problem. Consider the following facts: an estimated 82% of American adults take at least one medication and 29% take five or more; 700,000 emergency department visits and 120,000 hospitalizations are due to adverse drug events annually; $3.5 billion is spent on extra medical costs of adverse drug Read More >

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

What are the Priorities for Public Health Genomics 2012-2017?

Since 1997, the Office of Public Health Genomics (OPHG) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked to integrate genomics into public health research, policy, and programs. Our driving force is to improve interventions designed to prevent and control the country’s leading chronic, infectious, environmental, and occupational diseases. OPHG’s efforts focus on conducting Read More >

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

Genome vs. Genome: E. Coli Sprouts in Germany

sprouts

Public health officials around the world are watching what they hope is the final stage of a massive outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections that began in Germany in May. On June 10, officials of the German federal disease control center, the Robert Koch Institut, announced that raw vegetable sprouts were indeed the Read More >

Posted on by Marta Gwinn, Consultant, McKing Consulting Corp, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention5 CommentsTags , , , , ,

Feeling the Genomic Pulse of the United States

CDC doctor with DNA stethoscope checking the pulse of the US map

A healthcare provider takes a good clinical history, feels the patient’s pulse, performs a good physical examination, and orders laboratory tests to diagnose and manage a health problem. In a similar manner, public health programs feel the pulse of the population by collecting data through population surveys, surveillance systems and health statistics to assess the Read More >

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

Tell Me More about Telomeres

chromosome showing telomeres

Researchers, journalists, and inquiring minds want to know more about telomeres, which seem to hold clues to human aging and age-related diseases. Could telomeres provide an answer to questions like “How long will I live?” or “Will I get cancer?” What are telomeres? Telomeres are structures at the ends of chromosomes  that contain repetitive stretches Read More >

Posted on by Marta Gwinn, Consultant, McKing Consulting Corp, Office of Public Health Genomics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention2 CommentsTags , ,