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Minnesota Gene Pool Blog

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APHA Genomics Forum is forming

A forum dedicated to the role of genomics in public health is being formed within the APHA. Member recruitment is currently ongoing. You don't have to be a member of the APHA to join.

From the APHA Genomics Forum website:

What is the Genomics Forum?

The proposed Genomics Forum of APHA is a growing, interdisciplinary group of individuals, focused on different aspects of public health. We realize the growing influence that genetics and genomics are exerting upon everyday life in America and the need for APHA to play a key role in deciding how they will be used to affect the health of populations.

The predictive nature of genetics/genomics parallels the preventive health goals of public health agencies throughout the nation. However, most public health agencies are not aware of how genetics/genomics can be used as a tool to improve population health. There is a great need to educate the current and future public health workforce to understand the basics of genetics/genomics and the implications of this field, provide communities with appropriately designed information that will promote good health in the context of genetic information, and make sure that genetic information is used to decrease and not increase health disparities of all types (income, education, ethnicity, etc.). The proposed forum will focus on this integration of genomics into public health.

This forum will also allow APHA to show a firm commitment to assuring that public health principles are integrated into genomics practice and research. For example, multiple government agencies are placing substantial funds into clinical applications such as pharmacogenomics (i.e. personalized medicine). In order to make sure that personalized medicine means public medicine, APHA must be at the forefront of conversations about how genetics/genomics will be used to improve the health of people in America and worldwide. This forum will contribute to ensuring that this happens.


Get more information here.

Posted by Kristin Oehlke on May 30, 2007 1:35 AM |


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Thank you for this information. I enjoy the blog greatly!

Posted by: Yvette | May 30, 2007 2:56 PM

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