What is Public Health Genomics?
Traditionally, the focus of public health activities has been on environmental, infectious, cultural, and behavioral factors of disease causation and prevention. Since the successful sequencing of the human genome in 2003 and the widespread application of genetic information and tools in understanding human biology, genetics is increasingly being recognized as a relevant factor in many areas of public health practice. Nine out of ten of the leading causes of death have a genetic component. From a public health perspective, genomics is a powerful tool for understanding the totality of the factors that contribute to health and disease, i.e., genetic and environmental interactions. Genomics isn’t a project or area of study that can stand apart from other public health programs. Genomics needs to become an integral part of other public health activities. Therefore, we can define public health genomics as the inclusion and application of genomic information and tools in public health planni
