Public health genetics leading to healthy communities

Through public health genetics, preventive health care can be effectively managed in residents throughout various communities. Advance knowledge in human genetics and genomics has enabled communities to be educated about diseases/disorders that show heredity patterns.  People become empowered when they are educated about their medical family histories and observe which diseases/disorders have manifest themselves for several generations.  Furthermore, it is important that communities are informed on how external factors such as daily habits and environmental influences affect their overall health.  A strong relationship exists between public health, genes, manifestation of diseases, social behavior, and environment influences.  Professionals in public health and medicine, science, public policy, and law must work together in order to assure that the quality of life is enhance through all communities through the field of public health genetics.  As a 3-year advocate partner with the Genetic Alliance in the United States, I have learned how to support causes related to genetic issues in order to enhance the lives of all residents in our country.  The Coalition for Genetics Fairness in which the Genetic Alliance is a member worked diligently for 13 years visiting legislatures on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC promoting the passage of laws to protect the rights of our nationwide community.  During May 2008, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was passed into law which ensured that the residents of the United States are protected against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment.