Genomics and Precision Public Health At a Glance

The CDC Office of Genomics and Precision Public Health (OGPPH) provides timely and credible information for the effective and responsible translation of genomics and precision health advances into public health and health care.

OGPPH identifies genomic testing, family health history, and precision health applications that are ready to impact health if implemented effectively:

three rows:Tier 1 with green background; Tier 2 with yellow backgrond and Tier 3 with red background
  • The Tier-Classified Guidelines Database is an on-line, searchable resource for genomic testing, family health history, and precision health applications classified based on scientific evidence and evidence-based recommendations.  Over 500 genetic testing guidelines have been classified according to a three tiered framework developed by OGPPH, including more than 150 classified as tier 1 applications:
    • Tier 1/green applications are supported by synthesized evidence or evidence-based recommendations for implementation in practice.
    • Tier 2/yellow applications are not supported by sufficient synthesized evidence or evidence-based recommendations for routine implementation in practice; however, they may inform decision making on a case-by-case basis.
    • Tier 3/red applications are not supported by synthesized evidence for implementation in practice or have evidence-based recommendations against their use; however, they might be candidates for research.
  • The Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base (PHGKB) is an online, customizable, user-based system that provides convenient access to the published scientific literature, CDC resources, and other sources that track progress in human and pathogen genomics, and in other areas of precision public health. PHGKB includes 14 specialized databases on topic such as cancer, infectious diseases, rare diseases, and health equity, as well as a CDC-authored publications and state public health genomics program resources. OGPPH searches the peer-reviewed and grey literature on a weekly basis using machine learning, natural language processing, and other methods to identify genomics and precision health information relevant to population health to help keep the PHGKB on the cutting edge.

OGPPH informs about evidence-based genomic and precision health applications to impact population health:

OGPPH has developed a multifaceted communications strategy to share information on genomics and precision health with public health programs, health providers, policymakers, and the general public.

OGPPH integrates evidence-based genomic and precision health applications into practice and programs:

  • The Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait tool is a resource for public health programs, health providers, and the general public to aid in collection and sharing of family health history information. My Family Health Portrait provides family history-based risk assessments for diabetes, colorectal cancer, and heart disease.
  • Integrating Human Genomics into Public Health Surveillance and Applied Research. In collaboration with the CDC Office of Advanced Molecular Detection, OGPPH launched a new, five-year initiative to strengthen public health capacity by introducing elements of human genomics into both public health surveillance and applied research. Six projects across five CIOs were selected for funding in 2022 and 2023. They cover a wide range of topics, including: