Genetics in population health science: strategies and opportunities. 2013

Daniel W Belsky, and Terrie E Moffitt, and Avshalom Caspi
Daniel W. Belsky is with the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center, and the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC. Terrie E. Moffitt and Avshalom Caspi are with the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, Duke University and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, and the Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, London, UK.

Translational research is needed to leverage discoveries from the frontiers of genome science to improve public health. So far, public health researchers have largely ignored genetic discoveries, and geneticists have ignored important aspects of population health science. This mutual neglect should end. In this article, we discuss 3 areas where public health researchers can help to advance translation: (1) risk assessment: investigate genetic profiles as components in composite risk assessments; (2) targeted intervention: conduct life-course longitudinal studies to understand when genetic risks manifest in development and whether intervention during sensitive periods can have lasting effects; and (3) improved understanding of environmental causation: collaborate with geneticists on gene-environment interaction research. We illustrate with examples from our own research on obesity and smoking.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009765 Obesity A status with BODY WEIGHT that is grossly above the recommended standards, usually due to accumulation of excess FATS in the body. The standards may vary with age, sex, genetic or cultural background. In the BODY MASS INDEX, a BMI greater than 30.0 kg/m2 is considered obese, and a BMI greater than 40.0 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese (MORBID OBESITY).
D011634 Public Health Branch of medicine concerned with the prevention and control of disease and disability, and the promotion of physical and mental health of the population on the international, national, state, or municipal level. Community Health,Environment, Preventive Medicine & Public Health,Environment, Preventive Medicine and Public Health,Health, Community,Health, Public
D005818 Genetic Engineering Directed modification of the gene complement of a living organism by such techniques as altering the DNA, substituting genetic material by means of a virus, transplanting whole nuclei, transplanting cell hybrids, etc. Genetic Intervention,Engineering, Genetic,Intervention, Genetic,Genetic Interventions,Interventions, Genetic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012907 Smoking Willful or deliberate act of inhaling and exhaling SMOKE from burning substances or agents held by hand. Smoking Behaviors,Smoking Habit,Behavior, Smoking,Behaviors, Smoking,Habit, Smoking,Habits, Smoking,Smoking Behavior,Smoking Habits
D057170 Translational Research, Biomedical The endeavour to traverse a specific step of the translation process of turning an observation in the laboratory, clinic, or community into an intervention that will improve the health of individuals and the public. (from Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2018 July ; 17(7): 455–456.) Translational Medical Research,Translational Research,Translational Research, Medical,Biomedical Translational Research,Medical Research, Translational,Medical Translational Research,Research, Biomedical Translational,Research, Medical Translational,Research, Translational,Research, Translational Medical
D059647 Gene-Environment Interaction The combined effects of genotypes and environmental factors together on phenotypic characteristics. Environment-Gene Interaction,Environment Gene Interaction,Environment-Gene Interactions,Gene Environment Interaction,Gene-Environment Interactions,Interaction, Environment-Gene,Interaction, Gene-Environment,Interactions, Environment-Gene,Interactions, Gene-Environment
D018570 Risk Assessment The qualitative or quantitative estimation of the likelihood of adverse effects that may result from exposure to specified health hazards or from the absence of beneficial influences. (Last, Dictionary of Epidemiology, 1988) Assessment, Risk,Benefit-Risk Assessment,Risk Analysis,Risk-Benefit Assessment,Health Risk Assessment,Risks and Benefits,Analysis, Risk,Assessment, Benefit-Risk,Assessment, Health Risk,Assessment, Risk-Benefit,Benefit Risk Assessment,Benefit-Risk Assessments,Benefits and Risks,Health Risk Assessments,Risk Analyses,Risk Assessment, Health,Risk Assessments,Risk Benefit Assessment,Risk-Benefit Assessments
D036281 Genetic Research Research into the cause, transmission, amelioration, elimination, or enhancement of inherited disorders and traits. Research, Genetic

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