Population-based Genetic Screening Beyond Newborns: What is the Role of Public Health?

Public Health Genomics and DPHID banner

The Office of Public Health Genomics
invites you to attend a special workshop sponsored by CDC University:

Monday, January 30, 2017
9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
CDC Chamblee Campus

For free registration and attendance, please contact the Office of Public Health Genomics.

Debra Duquette, MS, CGCDebra Duquette, MS, CGCPresenters:

photo of Michele Caggana

Michele Caggana, ScD, FACMG
New York State
Dept of Health

Debra Duquette

Debra Duquette, MS, CGC
Michigan Dept of
Health & Human Services

James Evans

James Evans, MD, Ph.D
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill

The lack of universal screening for genetic conditions outside of newborn screening means that many individuals with conditions that could be treated pre-symptomatically are not identified until they show signs of disease. At this point interventions are often less effective. This course will focus on defining the role of public health in population-based screening outside of the newborn screening period and in addressing health disparities in the use of genomics in health care.

Following presentations, open CDC panel discussion led by:
  • Dr. Carla Cuthbert (Branch Chief, Newborn Screening and Molecular Biology Branch, National Center for Environmental Health)
  • Dr. Sonja Rasmussen (Director, Division of Public Health Information Dissemination, Editor-in-Chief, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services)
  • Dr. Lisa Richardson (Director, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
  • Dr. Stuart Shapira (Chief Medical Officer and Associate Director for Science, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities)
doctor looking into a crystal ball filled with people

Why should I attend?

Millions of people have genetic changes that make them more likely to get cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic diseases. Universal genetic screening for these conditions can help find these people before they get sick so that they can take steps to protect their health.

What will I learn?

  • Benefits and risks of population-based genetic screening for chronic conditions
  • How screening could address health disparities in the use of genetics in health care

Join the discussion to address questions such as

  • What role should public health play in population-based genetic screening for chronic conditions?
  • If implemented, when and how can such screening be done?
  • What lessons can be learned from other population-based screening programs, including newborn screening?
  • How would screening affect health disparities?