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Archives of Public Health
Published in: Archives of Public Health 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

Public health in the genomic era: will Public Health Genomics contribute to major changes in the prevention of common diseases?

Authors: Evy Cleeren, Johan Van der Heyden, Angela Brand, Herman Van Oyen

Published in: Archives of Public Health | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

The completion of the Human Genome Project triggered a whole new field of genomic research which is likely to lead to new opportunities for the promotion of population health. As a result, the distinction between genetic and environmental diseases has faded. Presently, genomics and knowledge deriving from systems biology, epigenomics, integrative genomics or genome-environmental interactions give a better insight on the pathophysiology of common diseases. However, it is barely used in the prevention and management of diseases. Together with the boost in the amount of genetic association studies, this demands for appropriate public health actions. The field of Public Health Genomics analyses how genome-based knowledge and technologies can responsibly and effectively be integrated into health services and public policy for the benefit of population health. Environmental exposures interact with the genome to produce health information which may help explain inter-individual differences in health, or disease risk. However today, prospects for concrete applications remain distant. In addition, this information has not been translated into health practice yet. Therefore, evidence-based recommendations are few. The lack of population-based research hampers the evaluation of the impact of genomic applications. Public Health Genomics also evaluates the benefits and risks on a larger scale, including normative, legal, economic and social issues. These new developments are likely to affect all domains of public health and require rethinking the role of genomics in every condition of public health interest. This article aims at providing an introduction to the field of and the ideas behind Public Health Genomics.
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Metadata
Title
Public health in the genomic era: will Public Health Genomics contribute to major changes in the prevention of common diseases?
Authors
Evy Cleeren
Johan Van der Heyden
Angela Brand
Herman Van Oyen
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Archives of Public Health / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 2049-3258
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/0778-7367-69-8

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