Genetics And Public Health In The 21st Century

The first broad survey of these two fields, this book deleniates a framework for integrating advances in human genetics into public health practice.

This text describes the role that epidemiologic methods play in the continuum from gene discovery to the development and application of genetic tests. It provides a foundation that should help researchers, policy makers and practitioners integrate genomics into medical and public health practice.

The anthrax incidents following the 9/11 terrorist attacks put the spotlight on the nation's public health agencies, placing it under an unprecedented scrutiny that added new dimensions to the complex issues considered in this report. The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century reaffirms the vision of Healthy People 2010, and outlines a systems approach to assuring the nation's health in practice, research, and policy. This approach focuses on joining the unique resources and perspectives of diverse sectors and entities and challenges these groups to work in a concerted, strategic way to promote and protect the public's health. Focusing on diverse partnerships as the framework for public health, the book discusses: The need for a shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement. The status of the governmental public health infrastructure and what needs to be improved, including its interface with the health care delivery system. The roles nongovernment actors, such as academia, business, local communities and the media can play in creating a healthy nation. Providing an accessible analysis, this book will be important to public health policy-makers and practitioners, business and community leaders, health advocates, educators and journalists.

Bioterrorism, drug-resistant disease, transmission of disease by global travel . . . there's no shortage of challenges facing America's public health officials. Men and women preparing to enter the field require state-of-the-art training to meet these increasing threats to the public health. But are the programs they rely on provide the high caliber professional training they require? Who Will Keep the Public Healthy? provides an overview of the past, present, and future of public health education, assessing its readiness to provide the training and education needed to prepare men and women to face 21st century challenges. Advocating an ecological approach to public health, the Institute of Medicine examines the role of public health schools and degree-granting programs, medical schools, nursing schools, and government agencies, as well as other institutions that foster public health education and leadership. Specific recommendations address the content of public health education, qualifications for faculty, availability of supervised practice, opportunities for cross-disciplinary research and education, cooperation with government agencies, and government funding for education. Eight areas of critical importance to public health education in the 21st century are examined in depth: informatics, genomics, communication, cultural competence, community-based participatory research, global health, policy and law, and public health ethics. The book also includes a discussion of the policy implications of its ecological framework.

Medical and Health Genomics provides concise and evidence-based technical and practical information on the applied and translational aspects of genome sciences and the technologies related to non-clinical medicine and public health. Coverage is based on evolving paradigms of genomic medicine—in particular, the relation to public and population health genomics now being rapidly incorporated in health management and administration, with further implications for clinical population and disease management. Provides extensive coverage of the emergent field of health genomics and its huge relevance to healthcare management Presents user-friendly language accompanied by explanatory diagrams, figures, and many references for further study Covers the applied, but non-clinical, sciences across disease discovery, genetic analysis, genetic screening, and prevention and management Details the impact of clinical genomics across a diverse array of public and community health issues, and within a variety of global healthcare systems

Genomics is the study of the entire human genome. Genomics explores not only the actions of single genes, but also the interactions of multiple genes with each other and with the environment. As a result, genomics has great potential for improving the health of the public. However, realizing the benefits of genomics requires a systematic evaluation of its potential contributions and an understanding of the information necessary to facilitate the translation of research findings into public health strategies. In October 2004, the Institute of Medicine convened a workshop to discuss major scientific and policy issues related to genomics and public health, examine major supports for and challenges to the translation of genetic research into population health benefits, and suggest approaches for the integration of genomic information into strategies for promoting health and preventing disease. Implications of Genomics for Public Health summarizes the discussions and presentations from this workshop.

"The Nation has lost sight of its public health goals and has allowed the system of public health to fall into 'disarray'," from The Future of Public Health. This startling book contains proposals for ensuring that public health service programs are efficient and effective enough to deal not only with the topics of today, but also with those of tomorrow. In addition, the authors make recommendations for core functions in public health assessment, policy development, and service assurances, and identify the level of government--federal, state, and local--at which these functions would best be handled.

Ideal for anyone with personal concerns about genetic illness or an interest in the latest scientific breakthroughs and their potential impact on people, families, and society, this book explains the advances in genetic research. Now that gene research promises to revolutionize medicine in the 21st century, public interest in genetics has never been greater. The confidentiality of personal genetic information and the regulation of genetic technologies like cloning are hot-button topics increasingly dramatized in the media. This book includes the latest information on the Human Genome Project; a directory of Internet-based genetics resources; advice on when to consider a genetic test; and information on finding local genetics professionals, societies, support groups, and foundations.