Genomics and public health


Your gene, your health, our future: The contemporaneity of genomics

Individuals are different and therefore respond differently to medical treatments. This uniqueness is well understood by experienced physicians1. Evaluating the structure and biology of genomes, understanding the biology of disease, advancing the science of medicine, and improving the effectiveness of health care2 validates the celerity needed and the importance of recent currency genomics is globally gaining.

Genomics as a novel field in public health seeks to intersect the findings of research in genetic and molecular technology with public health3. Genomics is relevant to public health because it has the potential for improved disease diagnosis, treatment and individualized and population-based prevention3. An ailment which affects an individual, if not properly treated and contained, could affect the population within the carrier’s proximity hence, the need to prevent diseases from source and not allowing it to spread. Information gathered during genetic testing could help in disease prevention and improving the health of any given people. Therefore the usefulness of genomic epidemiology extends not only to the public health but equally to emergency preparedness and national pandemic plans4.

Several challenges await public health policy experts in both advanced and developing countries. Although it could be argued that the degree of bottlenecks differs from one developed country to another and from a developed nation to a developing one. Issues like the public’s level of genetic literacy, public phobia about genetic discrimination, public skepticism about the intent of policy-originators in genetic screening and testing, lack of access to genetic services, exorbitant cost of genetic testing, inadequate knowledge and materials for healthcare professionals, insufficient technology5, abound.

It is important to succinctly summarize the fact that the ability to determine ones genetic component will drive practitioners towards better prognosis of ones ailment. This therefore produces an outcome-based health care system that is cost-effective, effective, efficient and patient-centered. The determination to contain diseases before it gets to the public square is a route that must be taken by every health care recipient, practitioner, and policy-makers.


References

  1. MacDougall Raymond. (2011). Genomics in Medicine: Lecture series opener explores individualized medicine. Retrieved from: http://www.genome.gov/27546486
  2. Khoury MJ, Gwinn M, Bowen MS, & Dotson DW. (2012). Beyond base pairs to bedside: a population perspective on how genomics can improve health. American Journal of Public Health, 102(1): 34-37.
  3. Wilkinson JR, Ells LJ, Pencheon D, Flowers J, & Burton C. (2011). Public health genomics: the interface with public health intelligence and the role of public health observatories. Public Health Genomics, 14: 35-42.
  4. Knoppers BM, Leroux T, Doucet H, Godard B, et al (2010). Framing genomics, public health research and policy: points to consider. Public Health Genomics, 13: 224-234.
  5. Chen LS & Goodson P. (2007). Entering the public health genomics era: why must health educators develop genomic competencies. American Journal of Health Education, 38(3): 157-164.


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