Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention Mission and Goals

The mission of the Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention is to integrate advances in human genetics into public health research, policy, and programs. To accomplish this mission, CDC/OGDP identified the following cross-cutting goals:

• To promote leadership in genetic  policy development

• To develop science for public  health action

• To communicate and distribute information

• To train and educate the public  health workforce.  

To move beyond gene discovery to public health action requires additional research and planning. Clinical and epidemiologic studies are needed to assess the interaction between genetics and environment in causing disease and to evaluate the clinical validity and utility of genetic tests. Public health policies are needed to address related social, ethical, and legal issues and to guarantee access to genetic services. Training the public health workforce and keeping the public informed are also important components of a plan to integrate genetics into public health.

The activities of OGDP reflect the magnitude of the challenge facing public health today. OGDP's commitment is to meet the challenge to use genetic information to improve health and prevent disease in the 21st century.