1. Discoveries in Human Genetics Preventing Disease & Improving Health What we Know….. What we Don’t Yet Know….. Using Genetic Information to Improve Health

2. Terminology Environmental risk factors: All exogenous factors – chemical, physical, infectious, nutritional Prevention: The use of environmental interventions to reduce the risk of disease among people susceptible because of their genetic make up – not the effort to prevent the birth of infants with specific genotypes

3. Keys to Longevity: Cigars Afternoon naps Bridge with buddies A couple of martinis each day George Burns 1896-1996 Determinants of Health & Disease

4. Jim Fixx 1932 - 1984 Determinants of Health & Disease

5. The Integration of Genetics into Public Health: A Blueprint The Future of Public Health (IOM) Tool to promote dialog, assist integration, and inform others Public Health Functions Project (1994)

6. The Integration of Genetics Assessment: The regular systematic collection, assembly, analysis, and dissemination of information, including genetic epidemiologic information, on the health of the community.

7. The Integration of Genetics Policy Development: The formulation of standards and guidelines, in collaboration with stakeholders, which promote the appropriate use of genetic information and the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of genetic tests and services.

8. The Integration of Genetics Assurance: The assurance to constituents that genetic information is used appropriately and that genetic tests and services meet agreed upon goals for effectiveness, accessibility, and quality.

9. The Integration of Genetics System Management: Building and maintaining the capacity of the public health infrastructure to integrate genetic information into public health research and practice.

10. Research: A systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge of the impact of human genetic variation on health and disease. The Integration of Genetics

11. Genetics and Public Health: Key Points 1. Human diseases result from gene-environment interaction 2. Public health leadership to translate gene discoveries 3. Integrating genetics into assessment, policy development and assurance 4. Public health planning to build genetics capacity and train the workforce