Optimizing Precision Medicine for Public Health

Gemma A. Bilkey; Gemma A. Bilkey; Belinda L. Burns; Emily P. Coles; Trinity Mahede; Gareth Baynam; Gareth Baynam; Gareth Baynam; Kristen J. Nowak; Kristen J. Nowak; Kristen J. Nowak

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00042

Frontiers in Public Health (Mar 2019)

Optimizing Precision Medicine for Public Health

Gemma A. Bilkey,
Gemma A. Bilkey,
Belinda L. Burns,
Emily P. Coles,
Trinity Mahede,
Gareth Baynam,
Gareth Baynam,
Gareth Baynam,
Kristen J. Nowak,
Kristen J. Nowak,
Kristen J. Nowak

Affiliations

Gemma A. Bilkey: Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Gemma A. Bilkey: Office of the Chief Health Officer, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Belinda L. Burns: Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Emily P. Coles: Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Trinity Mahede: Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Gareth Baynam: Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Gareth Baynam: Genetic Services of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Gareth Baynam: Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Kristen J. Nowak: Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Kristen J. Nowak: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Kristen J. Nowak: Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, WA, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2019.00042
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7

Abstract

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Advances in precision medicine have presented challenges to traditional public health decision-making paradigms. Historical methods of allocating healthcare funds based on safety, efficacy, and efficiency, are challenged in a healthcare delivery model that focuses on individualized variations in pathology that form the core of precision medicine. Public health policy and decision-making must adapt to this new frontier of healthcare delivery to ensure that the broad public health goals of reducing healthcare disparities and improving the health of populations are achieved, through effective and equitable allocation of healthcare funds. This paper discusses contemporary applications of precision medicine, and the potential impacts of these on public health policy and decision-making, with particular focus on patients living with rare diseases and rare cancers. The authors then reconcile these, presenting precision public health as the bridge between these seemingly competing fields.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health

ISSN: 2296-2565 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health

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