Public Health, Occupational Health and Epidemiology Conference

Public Health Genetics and Genomics is an expanding science discipline that researches genetics or genomics, causes, and impact at the group level. Genetic epidemiology is the study of genetic-based individual differences and their relation to environmental factors and lifestyle Genetic epidemiologist tries to unravel how genetics fuel risk factors of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and odd genetic conditions. Public health genetics is aimed at the detection of the same populations, timely diagnosis, and preventive measures which in turn can affect a number of people on the population level.

As a branch of pharmacogenomics, the application of public health genomics results in precision or personalized medicine being the likelihood of individual health treatment and prevention regimens according to the genetic makeup of a given individual. This approach helps healthcare providers to recognize direct and indirect genes in patients, provide preventive care, and share with patients information about risk mitigation. For instance, patients with a family background of specific types of cancer can be guided on matters that they should avoid as well as encouraged to take regular tests so that cancers be detected early and thus be easily treated.

It was found that screening programs form an important part of public health genetics. Such programs can help indicate individuals who are ‘silent’ carriers of certain gene variants which can be transmitted to the next generation and allow couples to make individual decisions about childbearing. Further, there are other screening tests, and early identification of Metabolic and Genetic diseases and disorders, which can be diagnosed and treated better through organized newborn screening.

They include within them ethical legal and social issues: genetic privacy, discrimination, and fair distribution of genetic tests and counseling. Genetic information is increasingly being incorporated in healthcare, therefore, proper protection of people’s privacy and their proper consent is crucial in the development of a positive attitude towards genetic services.