|
What significance does the discovery of human genes have for disease prevention and health promotion? Virtually all human diseases result from the interaction of genetic variation with environmental factors, such as behaviors and exposures. Due to the Human Genome Project and other research efforts, most - if not all - of the estimated 35,000 human genes will be found in the next decade. Gene variants have already been identified which play a role in childhood diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, asthma), chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers disease), occupational diseases (e.g., bladder cancer), and infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS). What is the role of public health in applying advances in human genetics to disease prevention and health promotion? Gene Discovery Examples:
Health Policy Development Examples:
Integration of Genetic Tests into Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion What is CDC doing to address the public health opportunities presented by advances in human genetics? In September 1996, Dr. David Satcher, former Director of the CDC, appointed an agency-wide Task Force on Genetics and Disease Prevention to develop a strategic plan for coordinating and strengthening CDCs activities in genetics and public health. In October 1997, the Strategic Plan was approved and CDCs Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention (OGDP) was formed. In May 1998, CDC and collaborators sponsored the First Annual Conference on Genetics and Public Health to increase awareness among public health professionals of the scope and process of integrating genetics into public health programs and to strengthen partnerships for disease prevention and health promotion efforts. In December, 1999 the Second National Conference on Genetics and Public Health was held in Baltimore, Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health and Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. What is "prevention" in the context of genetics and public health? "Prevention" concerns the use of medical, behavioral, and environmental interventions to reduce the risk for disease and disability among people susceptible because of their genetic makeup. It does not include efforts to prevent the birth of infants with specific genotypes. What are critical issues involved in the application of genetics to disease prevention and health promotion? Partnerships and Coordination:
Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues
Education and Training How will genetics change the face of disease prevention and health promotion in the new millennium? With strong public health leadership, discoveries in human genetics will be translated into acceptable disease prevention and health promotion actions that are tailored to each individuals genetic makeup. |
||||||
|
||||||
Last updated on August 17, 2004 |