The impact of genomics on precision public health: beyond the pandemic

Other recent studies further highlight the impact of public health programs in accelerating the identification of individuals with hereditary cancers in populations (e.g., Lynch syndrome, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer) [6]. Even in the genomics age, a simple family health history assessment can enhance the delivery of precision medicine in health care and population settings [8]. [...]as millions of people have sought direct-to-consumer genetic tests, public health programs can help educate the general public about the promise and limitations of emerging tests in improving health, as well as to track the impact of genomic tests at the population level. In this context, DNA sequencing can increase the precision of diagnosis beyond species to the identification of lineages or variants that may be associated with different degrees of risk and thus prompt different responses in terms of clinical management of the individual patient (e.g. antimicrobial treatment choice) or public health management (e.g. triggering infection control or contact tracing). Genomics is the primary method for monitoring variation in pathogen populations and identifying variants that may be of public health concern due to (i) increased transmissibility; (ii) increased severity; (iii) differences in sensitivity/specificity of current diagnostic tests; and (iv) escape from interventions, such as host immunity (vaccine-induced or natural) or sensitivity to drugs.