As the Human Genome Project identifies the remaining 80,000 to 100,000 human genes over the next few years, public health will be faced with tremendous opportunities for translating this information through public health assessments and research into the development of effective policies and practices. The integration of human genetics into the health infrastructure creates a particularly strong emphasis on the importance of sustaining an effective public health assurance capacity. The potential for inappropriate or premature use of genetic information without adequate protections for privacy and confidentiality are at the heart of strengthening the national focus on associated ethical, legal and social issues. Collaborative efforts are underway among national and state public health organizations to identify and prepare to respond to these challenges and opportunities. Public health leaders at all levels are becoming increasingly engaged in the many planning and program development aspects of human genetics, and are identifying key issues and concerns requiring attention.
Several themes resonate as a focus for the next steps.
First, information . Relevant information is needed to guide planning and program efforts, and to strengthen public health knowledge and capacity. Surveillance and epidemiologic research methods will help to produce the population-based information needed for policy and program development, and will help to correlate modifiable risk factors with common human genetic variations. This is the foundation for new information to enhance disease prevention and health promotion programs affecting large segments of the population. Second, integration .