Genome-Based Health Literacy: A New Challenge for Public Health Genomics

E. V. Syurina*, I. Brankovic, Nicole Probst-Hensch, A. Brand

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

So far health literacy has not been sufficiently discussed in the context of public health genomics. Primarily, not genomic but rather genome-based health information needs to be addressed taking into account genome-environment interactions and integrating all health determinants including genomics into a systemic and holistic approach. Translating findings from epigenomics and systems biomedicine will help to understand that individual biological pathways or networks are permanently interacting with environmental networks such as social networks. Thus, in the end also health literacy will become personalized. Genome-based health literacy is challenged by the question of which information is relevant for the individual, for what purpose, and at what time during the lifespan. Public health tools and expertise already in place can and should be used to tackle these huge challenges.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)201-210
JournalPublic Health Genomics
Volume14
Issue number4-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Keywords

  • Public health genomics
  • Genome-based knowledge and technologies
  • Systems biology
  • Health information
  • Health literacy
  • Health policy making
  • Knowledge translation

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