About the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base

The CDC Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base (PHGKB) is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomics and precision health discoveries into improved health care and disease prevention. The Knowledge Base is curated by CDC staff and is regularly updated to reflect ongoing developments in the field. This compendium of databases can be searched for genomics and precision health related information on any specific topic. We will continue to add additional features to the knowledge base and are interested in your feedback via email.

Scientific publications related to PHGKB

Database Content

COVID-19 GPH is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that captures emerging discoveries and applications of genomics, molecular and other precision medicine and precision public health tools in the investigation and control of COVID-19. Contents include PubMed records via an automated pubmed search algorithm, preprint records from NIH iCite, the relevant information from many media sources picked by experts, and linkages to contents from our curated PHGKB databases. See the current edition.

This database includes general CDC and NIH public health information on specific diseases and health related topics. When available, the database displays genomic information from various CDC and NIH web pages. Users are also encouraged to conduct searches of CDC and NIH websites for additional information.

This database contains CDC-authored scientific publications on genomics and precision health-related topics, and includes articles on infectious diseases, reproductive health, newborn screening, birth defects, developmental disabilities, genetic testing, chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, environmental and occupational health, laboratory methods, bioinformatics, and statistical methods. See the current edition.

This database includes published scientific literature on evidence-based translation of genomic and precision health discoveries into improved health care and population health, featuring information on topics that include reproductive health, birth defects, newborn screening, chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, pharmacogenomics, and family health history, guidelines and recommendations. View Data Selection Criteria


Genomics Precision Health (GPH): includes published scientific literature on evidence-based translation of genomic discoveries into improved health care and population health.
Non-Genomics Precision Health (non-GPH): includes published scientific literature on the translation of big data, data science and machine learning methods into improved health care and population health.

This database contains guidelines from the Genomics and Precision Health Database, sorted according to the highest evidence tier level that could be assigned to recommendations from each guideline. The sorting process is based on our previous method for classifying genomic applications (described in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2014), except that guideline documents rather than clinical scenarios are sorted according to evidence level).

The State Public Health Genomics Programs database has information about state public health programs and activities relevant to genomics. States have implemented genomics applications for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome, Lynch Syndrome, Familial Hypercholesterolemia, newborn screening, and more. Find relevant information from your own state or learn about what’s been accomplished in other states. You can filter results by condition and resource type (data, programs, education, policy, tools, and general information. You can also view the content of the database using State Genomics Implementation Map.

This database includes published scientific literature, popular press articles, tools, and databases on the emerging role of pathogen genomics and host-pathogen interactions in infectious disease control and prevention. It includes information on methods, evolution and pathogenicity, detection and diagnosis, outbreaks, epidemiology and transmission, antimicrobials, and vaccines and host-pathogen interactions. The database contains items from all previous weekly editions of Advanced Molecular Detection Clips, as well as from the current edition. Clips are selected weekly from a variety of sources, including PubMed, journal tables of contents, and online media. View Data Selection Criteria. See the current edition.

HuGE Literature Finder is a search engine for finding published literature on genetic associations and other human genome epidemiology. The search query can include disease/outcome, environmental factors, genes, author’s name, affiliation, etc. The results can be further refined by the filtering feature. The list of selected articles can be redirected to the PubMed website to take advantage of the functionality it provides, such as uploading to reference software.
Note: Database includes publications since 2001.

Weekly Updates

This weekly update features emerging roles of human genomics, testing and interventions in a wide variety of noncommunicable diseases across the life span, including, birth defects, newborn screening, reproductive health, childhood diseases, cancer, chronic diseases, pharmacogenomics, family health history, guidelines and recommendations. The weekly sweep also includes news, reviews, commentaries, tools and databases.

Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) Clips are selected weekly from a variety of sources, including PubMed, journal tables of contents, and online media. Special emphasis is given to the use of next-generation genetic sequencing in public health surveillance, investigation, and development of new diagnostics and interventions. The collection is not comprehensive but aims to capture highlights, while surveying a wide range of topics. CDC-authored articles are flagged.

The latest information and publications on the impact of big data science, machine learning and predictive analytics on public health.

The latest CDC publications in genomics and precision health.

Specialized Databases
Specialized PHGKBs are the subset databases of the overall PHGKB for specific domains. Currently four specialized PHGKBs are available. We will make more specialized PHGKBs in the future.
  • Cancer PHGKB
    Diabetes PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomic discoveries into improved health care and prevention related to diabetes. Diabetes PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
  • Diabetes PHGKB
    Diabetes PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomic discoveries into improved health care and prevention related to diabetes. Diabetes PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
  • Environmental Health PHGKB
    Environmental Health PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the use of genomic and other precision health technologies in addressing environmental health issues including epidemiology, translation, policies and guidelines and population health programs and impact. EH PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
  • Family Health History PHGKB
    Family Health History PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of information and publications relevant to the role of family health history in healthcare and disease prevention. Family health history is a record of the diseases and health conditions within a family. Family members share genes, behaviors such as exercise habits, diet and environmental exposures. Family Health History of a disease may be a risk factor for the same and other diseases. Family Health History PHGKB combines all information in PHGB on family health history in one place. It also provide links to important tools and resources.
  • Health Equity PHGKB
    Health Equity PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of genomics and precision health information and publications relevant to health equity. Health equity is when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Search terms are derived from a list provided by the Association for Territorial Health Officials which includes terms such as diversity, health disparities, and others. The search algorithm combines terms in health equity with those of genomics and precision health.
  • HLBS-PopOmics
    HLBS-PopOmics is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomic discoveries into improved health care and prevention related to Heart and Vascular Diseases(H), Lung Diseases(L), Blood Diseases(B), and Sleep Disorders(S). HLBS-PopOmics is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
  • Infectious Diseases PHGKB
    Infectious Diseases Cancer PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the impact of genomics, advanced molecular detection, and precision health technologies on the control and prevention of infectious diseases. Infectious Diseases PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
  • Neurological Disorders PHGKB
    Neurological Disorders (ND) PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other information that address the public health impact and translation of genomic and other precision health discoveries into improved health outcomes related to neurological disorders. ND PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB. Browse the A-Z list of neurological disorders on the NIH website
  • PGx PHGKB
    PGx PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomic and other precision health discoveries into improved health care and prevention related to medications. PGx PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
  • Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases PHGKB
    Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases (PI) PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other information that address the public health impact and translation of genomic and other precision health discoveries into improved health outcomes related to primary immune deficiency diseases.
  • Rare Diseases PHGKB
    Rare Disease PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other information that address the public health impact and translation of genomic discoveries into improved health outcomes related to rare diseases. Rare Diseases PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB and was developed with direct links to the NIH Genetics and Rare Disease Information Center. In the United States, a rare disease is defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people. There may be as many as 7,000 rare diseases. Only a few types of rare diseases are tracked when a person is diagnosed. These include certain infectious diseases, birth defects, and cancers. It also includes the diseases on state newborn screening tests. Browse the full list of A-Z list of rare diseases on the NIH website.
  • Reproductive and Child Health PHGKB
    Reproductive and Child Health PHGKB is an online, continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NIH resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomic and other precision health discoveries into improved health care and prevention related to reproductive and Child Health, newborn screening, birth defects and developmental disorders. RCH PHGKB is a specialized database of the overall PHGKB.
Scientific Publications Related to PHGKB