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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Marea Berni Tumber, BA, Department of Community Health / MPH Program, Brown University, Box G-A4, Providence, RI 02912, 401-863-9620, Marea_Tumber@Brown.edu and Joann Lindenmayer, DVM, MPH, Department of Community Health / Director, MPH Program, Brown University, Box G-A4, Providence, RI 02912.
The acquisition and use of genetic technology has many implications for both individuals and society. Public health leadership is grappling with its expanding role in translating complex genetic discoveries for the public, especially as an increasing number of conditions are found to have genetic links. The Rhode Island Department of Health received a planning grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in 1999 to develop a formal coordinated program for the delivery of genetics services. Development and implementation of a comprehensive state program of genetic services requires the collaborative effort of a broad spectrum of people with diverse interests and backgrounds, including public health agencies, providers and payers in the personal health care system, consumers, relevant academic resources, ethicists and other key stakeholders and policymakers. One of the steps in this planning process was to design and conduct a baseline survey of key informants to assess their perceptions of current and anticipated issues regarding Rhode Island’s genetics resources, and to incorporate their suggestions into the State Genetics Plan. A four-page Rhode Island Genetics Resources Inventory Questionnaire was developed, a list of key informants was identified and personal interviews were conducted. The following were noted as areas of concern: expertise and capacity in genetics, ethical issues, confidentiality protection, accessibility to services, legislative and policy developments, extended information management and analysis capabilities and education of the public and health professionals. Preliminary survey findings were presented to the Genetics Core Team at the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Genetics, Needs Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.