Using Genetic Information to Improve Health

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Using Genetic Information to Improve Health
Discoveries in Human Genetics
What we Know..
What we Dont Yet Know..
Preventing Disease Improving Health
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Terminology

• Environmental risk factors All exogenous factors
  chemical, physical, infectious, nutritional
• Prevention The use of environmental
  interventions to reduce the risk of disease among
  people susceptible because of their genetic make
  up not the effort to prevent the birth of
  infants with specific genotypes

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Determinants of Health Disease

• Keys to Longevity
• Cigars
• Afternoon naps
• Bridge with buddies
• A couple of martinis each day

George Burns 1896-1996
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Determinants of Health Disease
Jim Fixx 1932 - 1984
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The Integration of Genetics into Public Health A
Blueprint

• The Future of Public Health (IOM)
• Tool to promote dialog, assist integration, and
  inform others

Public Health Functions Project (1994)
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The Integration of Genetics

• Assessment The regular systematic collection,
  assembly, analysis, and dissemination of
  information, including genetic epidemiologic
  information, on the health of the community.

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The Integration of Genetics

• Policy Development The formulation of standards
  and guidelines, in collaboration with
  stakeholders, which promote the appropriate use
  of genetic information and the effectiveness,
  accessibility, and quality of genetic tests and
  services.

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The Integration of Genetics

• Assurance The assurance to constituents that
  genetic information is used appropriately and
  that genetic tests and services meet agreed upon
  goals for effectiveness, accessibility, and
  quality.

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The Integration of Genetics

• System Management Building and maintaining the
  capacity of the public health infrastructure to
  integrate genetic information into public health
  research and practice.

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The Integration of Genetics

• Research A systematic investigation designed to
  develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge
  of the impact of human genetic variation on
  health and disease.

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Genetics and Public HealthKey Points

1. Human diseases result from gene-environment
   interaction
2. Public health leadership to translate gene
   discoveries
3. Integrating genetics into assessment, policy
   development and assurance
4. Public health planning to build genetics capacity
   and train the workforce