To address the paucity of research on host genomics and infl uenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened a meeting of experts in 2007 to solicit opinions on how to explore the role of host genomics in public health activities for infl uenza conducted by the agency. A study of host genomic factors related to severe infl uenza outcomes in children was recommended as an activity that CDC was well positioned to pursue. This article reports the fi ndings of the study implemented in response to that recommendation.