Public health genetics applies genetic and genomic information to improve public health and prevent disease.
Family Health History- A Public Health Genetics Week Case Study
“Family health history is a record of the diseases and health conditions in your family.” (CDC) Having family members with certain health conditions might make you more likely to develop those conditions yourself. By collecting information about your family’s health history, your healthcare provider can use this information to better understand what conditions you might be more likely to develop, which can inform your care. Your doctor might recommend that you start certain screenings at an earlier age. In some cases, your doctor might refer you for genetic counseling and testing based on your family history.
Throughout Public Health Genetics Week 2022, we will be highlighting family health history. Learn more about family health history by checking back each day of the week or read our Family Health History Comic Strip.
Highlighted below is the framework for public health genetics. Additionally, we have included resources that further describe public health and genetics.
Closed captioning is available in English and Spanish.
Adapted from ASTHO’s “Framework for Public Health Genetics Policies and Practices in State and Local Public Health Agencies”. View the framework here.
Interested in learning more about public health or genetics? Check out some great resources below.
Public Health

From the CDC.
Genetics

From the Genetics Home Reference
Learn more:
- Genetics Basics (CDC)
- Genetics Glossary of Terms (CDC)
- Help Me Understand Genetics (Genetics Home Reference)
- Learn.Genetics: Genetic Science Learning Center (University of Utah)
Genomics

Learn more:
- A Brief Guide to Genomics (NHGRI)
- What is Genome? (Genetics Home Reference)
- Student Resources on Genomes (Genome Unlocking Life’s Code)