Genetics Health Care And Public Policy

Genetics, Health Care and Public Policy is an introduction to the new discipline of public health genetics. It brings together the insights of genetic and molecular science as a means of protecting and improving the health of the population. Its scope is wide and requires an understanding of genetics, epidemiology, public health and the principles of ethics, law and the social sciences. This book sets out the basic principles of public health genetics for a wide audience from those providing health care to those involved in establishing policy. The emphasis throughout the text is on providing an accessible introduction to the field. The content moves from the basic concepts, including definitions and history, through chapters on genetics, genetic technology, epidemiology, genetics in medicine, genetics in health services, ethical, legal and social implications, to the implications for health policy. It provides one-stop, introductory coverage of this rapidly developing and multidisciplinary field.

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening. Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered: Quality control in genetic testing. Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories. Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing. Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.

"The volume deserves our serious attention. The authors have provided us an invaluable primer about the HGP and its implications for the future of American health care." -- Jurimetrics "This book does make a real contribution... in explaining why the genetics revolution holds so much promise and why it is so difficult to bring that promise to fruition." -- The Journal of Legal Medicine "... marked by a forward-looking, analytically and empirically grounded thematic coherence. The editors' carefully crafted template and contributions successfully focus and organize the material." -- Annals of Internal Medicine "Excellent" -- Canadian Medical Association Journal "The editors have done a very good job integrating the contents into a very useful and readable information source." -- Choice "... this highly focused book is a well-written, thoughtful, and insightful consideration of the HGP and is valuable reading for anyone concerned with the future of our country's medical infrastructure." -- Science Books & Films (**Highly recommended) "A distinguished group of scientists, lawyers, and scholars have written a coherent, readable account of the legal, medical, ethical, and policy issues many (if not all) of us will be wrestling with on both a personal and a public level, as a result of current genetic research." -- Library Journal "Each of the contributors is a distinguished authority on the topic. Ethicists, especially, will find well-developed presentation of issues, with exposition of the differing ethical assumptions in tension in the society debate." -- Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Home Page How will the science of gene mapping and gene manipulation affect health care? Leading scholars explore the clinical, ethical, legal, and policy implications of the Human Genome Project for the forms of health care, who delivers it, who receives it, and who pays for it.

Contributors look at how the 'new' genetics, healthcare and arising health policy can or should be governed and regulated, rather than focusing on individualistic ethical issues, this text takes a broader, international public health approach.

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

Raising hopes for disease treatment and prevention, but also the specter of discrimination and "designer genes," genetic testing is potentially one of the most socially explosive developments of our time. This book presents a current assessment of this rapidly evolving field, offering principles for actions and research and recommendations on key issues in genetic testing and screening. Advantages of early genetic knowledge are balanced with issues associated with such knowledge: availability of treatment, privacy and discrimination, personal decision-making, public health objectives, cost, and more. Among the important issues covered: Quality control in genetic testing. Appropriate roles for public agencies, private health practitioners, and laboratories. Value-neutral education and counseling for persons considering testing. Use of test results in insurance, employment, and other settings.

Public health has become an essential area of focus in terms of the way it operates, the services offered, policies, and more. Maintaining an effective public health system and infrastructure, updated and useful policies, and health literacy are primary concerns. A critical analysis of public healthcare policy and services is critical to accommodate the changing health demands of the global population. Through a deeper understanding of the way public health services are offered, a look into policymaking and current policies in healthcare, and the way health literacy and health education are promoted, the current state and future of public health are acknowledged. The Research Anthology on Public Health Services, Policies, and Education presents a view of public health through an analysis of healthcare services and delivery; policies in terms of policymaking, ethics, and governance; as well as the way society is educated on public health affairs. The chapters will cover a wide range of issues such as healthcare policy, health literacy, healthcare reform, accessibility, public welfare, and more. This book is essential for public health officials, government officials, policymakers, teachers, medical professionals, health agencies and organizations, professionals, researchers, academics, practitioners, and students interested in the current state of public health and the improvement of public health services and policies for the future.

The purpose of this manual is to provide an educational genetics resource for individuals, families, and health professionals in the New York - Mid-Atlantic region and increase awareness of specialty care in genetics. The manual begins with a basic introduction to genetics concepts, followed by a description of the different types and applications of genetic tests. It also provides information about diagnosis of genetic disease, family history, newborn screening, and genetic counseling. Resources are included to assist in patient care, patient and professional education, and identification of specialty genetics services within the New York - Mid-Atlantic region. At the end of each section, a list of references is provided for additional information. Appendices can be copied for reference and offered to patients. These take-home resources are critical to helping both providers and patients understand some of the basic concepts and applications of genetics and genomics.