Public Health Genetics
An Interdepartmental Concentration Offered by the School of Public Health
Integrating the science, technology, and social implications of genetics to improve health
Advances
in genetics are occurring at a pace that challenges our collective ability
to respond to the many social, legal, ethical, and public health policy
implications generated by this revolution of knowledge. Consequently,
there is a compelling need to prepare future public health professional
in the biology, technology, applications, responsibilities, and issues
of genetics information, which will play an increasing role in our understanding
of health and disease.
While all students are invited to incorporate an analysis of public health
genetics in their program of study at the University of Michigan School
of Public Health, the Public Health Genetics Interdepartmental Concentration
(PHGIC) offers a formalized set of courses and field experience in this
area. Read more >>>
 "In this era of rapidly unfolding advances in genetics, public
health professionals have a significant role in translating this
new knowledge into improved health outcomes.
"Knowing which populations have a genetic variation that puts
them at risk for various diseases will help us to develop and implement
public health interventions that will improve outcomes and reduce
health care costs. We must provide guidance to policymakers as they
address the new issues that will require legislation to preserve
confidentiality, provide protection against discrimination based
on genetic information, and regulate commercialized genetics products
and services.
"In order to achieve these goals, whether policy and management,
behavior and education, epidemiology, biostatistics, or environmental
health, we must all contribute our expertise to create an informed
public health workforce."
Sharon
Kardia, Ph.D.
Director, Public Health Genetics Program
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