title: Iron overload: what is the role of public health?
abstract: Hereditary hemochromatosis type 1, also known as hereditary hemochromatosis classical (HHC), is an iron overload disorder associated, in most cases, with mutations of the hemochromatosis (HFE) gene. Although suggested algorithms for diagnosing iron overload are available, there are still questions about options for genetic and biochemical screening for hemochromatosis and duration of treatment. This article provides a summary of an expert workgroup meeting convened on September 24-25, 2009, entitled "Iron Overload: What is the Role of Public Health?" The purpose of the meeting was to enable subject matter experts to share their most recent clinical and scientific iron overload information and to facilitate the discussion of future endeavors, with special emphasis on the role of public health in this field. The two main topics were the research priorities of the field, including clinical, genetic, and public health issues, and the concerns about the validity of current screening recommendations for the condition.
authors.affiliation: Division of Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Disabilities, CDC, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. mhulihan@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hulihan
authors.forename: Cindy A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Sayers
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Grosse
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garrison
authors.forename: Althea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grant
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012106:Research