Tier 1 Genomics Applications and their Importance to Public Health

Tier 1 genomic applications are defined by CDC’s Office of Public Health Genomics (OPHG) as those having significant potential for positive impact on public health based on available evidence-based guidelines and recommendations. Tier 1 applications are listed in the Genomic Tests and Family History by Levels of Evidence Table which includes a growing number of genomics tests and family health history applications.

Presently, this toolkit focuses on three Tier 1 applications. Nearly 2 million people in the United States are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes because they have genetic mutations which predispose them to one of the following conditions:

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) – increased risk for breast, ovarian, tubal, peritoneal, and other cancers due to mutations inBRCA1 or BRCA2 genes;
Lynch syndrome (LS) – increased risk for colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, and other cancers associated with mutations in mismatch-repair genes; or
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) – increased risk for heart disease or stroke due to mutations leading to very high cholesterol levels from an early age

Because, at present, these conditions are poorly ascertained by the healthcare system, many individuals and families affected by them are not aware that they are at risk; however, early detection and intervention could significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. This toolkit currently focuses on these three applications because of the public health burden of the diseases associated with them and because there are clear steps that can be followed to improve health and prevent disease. Public health programs are encouraged to consider examples from states that have initiated programs to date, to work with partners to create or modify programs to fit their own states, and to report on their progress so that others may benefit.

The need for this toolkit and many of the action steps within it were discussed as a result of a working meeting of 80 experts and stakeholders representing federal, state, and local public health agencies, clinicians, key advocates and community leaders who came together in 2012 to develop Tier 1 implementation plans using the Health Impact Pyramid as a guide. The pyramid (see below) describes different health interventions with those at the base providing the greatest potential improvement for a given resource level and the critical importance that policy actions play in the practice of public health genomics at the state level. A report of the meeting is posted on the APHA Genomics Forum webpage .

pyramid with 5 layers: bottom layer: Socioeconomic Factors, second layer: Changing the Conntext to Make Individuals' Default Decision Healthy, 3rd layer: Long-Lasting Protective Interventions; 4th layer: Clinical Interventions; last layer on top: Counseling and Education- on the right off pyramid is an arrow pointing up: second layer description: Action with payer/providers to provide: 1) coverage/care for tier 1 applicaitons; 2) questions in standard surveys to identify patients who may be relatives of probands 3) encouragement to probands; 4th layer description: Consider active programs of cascade screening from cases to find relatives who may not know they are affected; then facilitate/encourage provider/payer action; 5th layer descrition: Increasing individuals Efford needed- Standardized communcation/education messages to reach policy makers by also providers and the public; left side of pyramid has an arrow pointing down with description: Surveillance: data for action...to inform interventions planning at all levels; bottom of pyramid description: (Original Pyramid by Frieden, AJPH)

HBOC 4|Tier 1 Genomic Applications Toolkit for Public Health Departments|Genomics|CDC

Genomics & Health Impact Update banner with DNA in background

Genomics & Health Impact Update banner with DNA in background

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Tools

Tools for Bidirectional Cancer Registry Reporting to Identify Individuals at Risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome

The following materials were developed to support state programs using bidirectional cancer registry reporting to identify individuals at risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome. State health departments are encouraged to customize the materials to meet their needs. Materials are categorized by those intended for patients and for healthcare providers, but materials may be suitable for multiple audiences. Please note that some materials will need to be filled out with state-specific information, as noted below.