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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Karen L Edwards, PhD1, Roberta CM Wines, BA2, Tabitha Harrison, BS1, and Helen Kim, MPH1. (1) Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Box 357236, Seattle, WA 98195, 206-616-1258, keddy@u.washington.edu, (2) Institute for Public Health Genetics, University of Washington, F 363 Health Sciences Building, Box 357236, 1959 NE Pacific Avenue, Seattle, WA 98195
Given the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with type 2 diabetes it is important that public health seek ways to delay or prevent the onset of this condition. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes are well established and include underlying genetic susceptibility. Despite this knowledge as well as significant advances in understanding the human genome, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate. Because type 2 diabetes is a complex condition involving a combination of genetic and environmental factors DNA testing for susceptibility genes is not yet warranted. However, because family history reflects underlying genetic susceptibility, in addition to other factors, this may be a useful public health tool for disease prevention. There are several important issues that need to be considered when evaluating family history as a public health tool. These issues; including a review of analytic validity, the efficacy of preventive interventions based on knowledge of family history, and ethical, legal and social implications of using family history to identify at risk individuals will be outlined and discussed. Areas for future research based on current limitations in knowledge will be identified.
Learning Objectives:
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.