title: The impact of genomics on public health practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genomic science is developing rapidly, and engagement of public health professionals will be necessary to appraise new technologies and use them effectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  We use established domains of public health and draw on the literature and expert knowledge to illustrate how genomic technologies give rise to new applications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genomic technologies are useful in rare inherited disease, including population screening programmes, in health care and for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is less clear when and how genetic susceptibility testing will be used for common chronic disease prevention or protection from environmental hazards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developments in public health practice will be necessary to ensure rapid and effective implementation of genomic science.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public health researchers should address how to accelerate the implementation of genomics for health benefit in developed and developing countries.
authors.affiliation: PHG Foundation, 2 Worts Causeway, Cambridge CB1 8RN, UK hilary.burton@phgfoundation.org.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Mortimer Market Centre, University College London, London WC1E 6JB, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Mortimer Market Centre, University College London, London WC1E 6JB, UK Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Public Health England, 61 Colindale Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 5EQ, UK.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abubakar
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003906:Developing Countries; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods; D023281:Genomics / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000379:methods; D015980:Public Health Practice
keywords: developing world; genetics; genomics; health protection; personalized prevention; public health; screening