10th Anniversary of Public Health Genomics at CDC

Public health genomics is an emerging science that assesses the impact of genes and their interaction with behavior, diet, and the environment on population health. The field of public health genomics is concerned with the effective and responsible translation of genome-based knowledge and technologies into clinical and public health practice.

In 1997, CDC established the Office of Genetics and Disease Prevention following the recommendations of an agency-wide, ad hoc Task Force on Genetics and Disease Prevention. The Task Force was appointed by former-CDC director Dr. David Satcher to propose a strategic plan through which the agency could coordinate and strengthen its activities in genetics and public health. Since its formation, the Office of Genetics and Disease Prevention has been renamed twice—first as the Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention in 2003, and again in 2006, as the National Office of Public Health Genomics (NOPHG), in recognition of its national scope and public health focus.

NOPHG's mission and goals are centered on the role of public health in translating human genome discoveries into population health benefits. In collaboration with its partners, NOPHG focuses on integrating genomics into public health research, programs, and policy. Doing so could improve interventions that are designed to prevent and control the country's leading chronic, infectious, environmental, and occupational diseases. NOPHG efforts include: conducting population-based genomic research, assessing the role of family health history in disease risk and prevention, supporting a systematic process for evaluating genetic tests, and strengthening capacity for public health genomics in disease prevention programs.

On January 23rd, 2008, NOPHG hosts a meeting celebrating the 10th anniversary of public health genomics at CDC. This meeting includes keynote presentations from experts in the field, a poster session representing more than 70 projects conducted by CDC programs and partners, and a roundtable discussion on future directions in genomics for the next decade.

For More Information

• National Office of Public Health Genomics, CDC
• 10 Years of Public Health Genomics at CDC, 1997-2007
• Genomics & Health Weekly Update