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VOLUME 2: NO. 2 APRIL 2005 TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES Genomics and Public Health: Development of Web-based Training Tools for Increasing Genomic Awareness Jennifer Bodzin, MPH, Sharon L.R. Kardia, PhD, Aaron Goldenberg, MA, MPH, Sarah F. Raup, MPH, Janice V. Bach, MS, Toby Citrin, JD Suggested citation for this article: Bodzin J, Kardia SLR, Introduction Goldenberg A, Raup SF, Bach JV, Citrin T. Genomics and public health: development of Web-based training tools for As genomics research continues to expand and identify increasing genomic awareness. Prev Chronic Dis [serial potential applications for disease prevention, departments online] 2005 Apr [date cited]. Available from: URL: of health as well as public health practitioners will need to http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/apr/04_0133.htm. become increasingly aware of genomics as a public health tool. In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) produced a set of competencies to help Abstract integrate genomics into public health practice and training (1,2). Genomic competencies were developed for all mem- In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control and bers of the public health workforce, along with specific Prevention funded three Centers for Genomics and competencies for each functional area of public health: Public Health to develop training tools for increasing administration, clinical, epidemiology, health education, genomic awareness. Over the past three years, the cen- laboratory, and environmental health (3). These compe- ters, working together with the Centers for Disease tencies are described in detail and are available from Control and Prevention’s Office of Genomics and Disease www.cdc.gov/genomics/training/competencies/comps.htm Prevention, have developed tools to increase awareness (4). Based on these competencies, a public health worker in of the impact genomics will have on public health prac- any program at any level should be able to demonstrate a tice, to provide a foundation for understanding basic basic knowledge of the role genomics plays in disease genomic advances, and to translate the relevance of that development. This knowledge is essential for public health information to public health practitioners’ own work. practitioners to integrate genomics tools into public health These training tools serve to communicate genomic practice and to educate the public. advances and their potential for integration into public heath practice. This paper highlights two of these train- Currently, the public’s understanding of genomics is ing tools: 1) Genomics for Public Health Practitioners: derived primarily from the media, and the scientific The Practical Application of Genomics in Public Health information is often incomplete and/or inaccurate (5,6). Practice, a Web-based introduction to genomics, and 2) As acknowledged in the 2002 Institute of Medicine Six Weeks to Genomic Awareness, an in-depth training report, Who Will Keep the Public Healthy?, “because few module on public health genomics. This paper focuses on in the current public health workforce have the level of the processes and collaborative efforts by which these understanding of genomics that is required today, major live presentations were developed and delivered as Web- continuing educational efforts must be undertaken to based training sessions. ready practicing public health professionals to use genomics effectively” (7). The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors’ affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above. www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/apr/04_0133.htm • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 VOLUME 2: NO. 2 APRIL 2005 During the past few years, several genomics training familiarizing practitioners with some basic concepts of tools have been developed to help public health practi- public health genomics. Topic areas covered in this train- tioners increase their awareness of the impact of ing tool include definitions (e.g., genetics, genomics, the genomics on public health practice, such as genetic test- human genome project) and applications of public health ing for adult cancer, identifying genetically at-risk sub- genomics (e.g., surveillance, policy, education); potential groups susceptible to environmental exposures, or devel- interventions based upon genomic information (e.g., modi- oping new genomic technologies. These training tools aim fication of screening recommendations, exposures to envi- to provide a foundation for understanding basic genomics ronmental factors); challenges facing public health (e.g., DNA mutations, inheritance patterns). They also genomics (e.g., rapid commercialization of genetic tests, help practitioners identify and translate the relevance of equal access to interventions); and a description of how one genomics to their own work (e.g., using family history as public health program incorporated genomics (e.g., Utah a genomic–environmental indicator of a person’s own risk Health Family Tree Study, CDC Family History Public of chronic diseases). Traditionally, genomics training tools Health Initiative). Individuals who designed this tool have included books, CD-ROMs, lectures, workshops, and developed content that would be appropriate for public presentations at conferences or meetings. The Genomics health professionals with no genomics background or Toolkit is a good example of a recently developed guide exposure. Conference calls, e-mails, and a Web board for designed to deliver an inventory of effective genomic tools posting files were used to communicate ideas among the for public health practitioners to use in program technical many individuals and locations. After content was agreed assistance (2,8). With improved technologies now avail- upon, the module was animated and narrated for use as a able for developing high-tech presentations — such as Web-based presentation. An informal piloting and evalua- synching audio, video, and PowerPoint — using the tion stage, during which public health practitioners offered Internet to provide genomics training sessions is a logical, feedback, provided insight on changes for the final prod- convenient way to increase the genomic literacy of public uct. Following approval by the CDC, the final presentation health professionals. was launched on the Web sites of OGDP and each Center for Genomics and Public Health on August 19, 2004. Two Web-based genomics training tools have been devel- oped to provide genomics education to large numbers of public health practitioners nationwide. Genomics for Six Weeks to Genomic Awareness Public Health Practitioners: The Practical Application of Genomics in Public Health Practice serves as an introduc- Creating the Six Weeks to Genomic Awareness series tion, while Six Weeks to Genomic Awareness is a more in- was consistent with one of the main goals of the Centers depth series of six training modules. Both training tools for Genomics and Public Health — to develop and provide described in this article resulted from the collaborative genomics training for the current and future public health efforts of individuals from the CDC’s Office of Genomics workforce. An existing collaborative relationship between and Disease Prevention (OGDP), the Michigan Center for the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Genomics and Public Health (MCGPH), the North and the MCGPH afforded the capacity for developing this Carolina Center for Genomics and Public Health kind of training. The Genomics Work Group, a committee (NCCGPH), and the University of Washington Center for established to integrate genetics into chronic disease pro- Genomics and Public Health (UWCGPH). grams at MDCH, and whose members include representa- tives from the Bureau of Health Promotion and Disease Control (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular, and diabetes pro- Genomics for Public Health Practitioners: grams), the Bureau of Laboratories, and the Bureau of The Practical Application of Genomics in Epidemiology (including genomics and newborn screen- Public Health Practice ing), requested help from the MCGPH in developing a genomics training for MDCH staff. These public health Genomics for Public Health Practitioners: The Practical professionals agreed that all program staff within their Application of Genomics in Public Health Practice is a departments would benefit from introductory information Web-based introductory presentation aimed at increasing on the impact of genomics on a variety of public health awareness of the impact of genomics on public health and issues. Working with the MCGPH, the state genomics The opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors’ affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above. 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention • www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/apr/04_0133.htm VOLUME 2: NO. 2 APRIL 2005 coordinator helped to identify the topic areas most presentations based on a five-point rating scale (1 = poor, relevant for state health agency employees. 5 = excellent). On average, participants rated the sessions as “very