Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals
Since the Human Genome Project’s completion in 2003, the need for increased population genetic literacy has grown exponentially. To address this need, public health professionals must be educated appropriately to serve the public best. This study examines the current state of public health genetics...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Genes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/317 |
| _version_ | 1797620829416062976 |
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| author | Anastasia M. Jacko Andrea L. Durst Karen L. Niemchick Stephen M. Modell Amy H. Ponte |
| author_facet | Anastasia M. Jacko Andrea L. Durst Karen L. Niemchick Stephen M. Modell Amy H. Ponte |
| author_sort | Anastasia M. Jacko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Since the Human Genome Project’s completion in 2003, the need for increased population genetic literacy has grown exponentially. To address this need, public health professionals must be educated appropriately to serve the public best. This study examines the current state of public health genetics education within existing master of public health (MPH) programs. A total of 171 MPH Council on Education for Public Health Accreditation (CEPH)-accredited programs across the nation were identified via a preliminary internet search. The American Public Health Association (APHA) Genomics Forum Policy Committee created 14 survey questions to assess the current status of incorporating genetics/genomics education within MPH programs. Using the Qualtrics survey system through the University of Pittsburgh, a link to the anonymous survey was sent to each director’s email address obtained from their program’s website. There were 41 survey responses, with 37 finished to completion, for a response rate of 21.6% (37/171). A total of 75.7% (28/37) of respondents reported having courses containing genetics/genomics information in their programs’ coursework. Only 12.6% reported such coursework to be required for program completion. Commonly listed barriers to incorporating genetics/genomics include limited faculty knowledge and lack of space in existing courses and programs. Survey results revealed the incongruous and limited incorporation of genetics/genomics within the context of graduate-level public health education. While most recorded programs report offering public health genetics coursework, the extent and requirement of such instruction are not considered necessary for program completion, thereby potentially limiting the genetic literacy of the current pool of public health professionals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:47:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b4c059572343478c94781f0e5f7cf282 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:47:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Genes |
| spelling | doaj.art-b4c059572343478c94781f0e5f7cf2822023-11-16T20:41:18ZengMDPI AGGenes2073-44252023-01-0114231710.3390/genes14020317Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health ProfessionalsAnastasia M. Jacko0Andrea L. Durst1Karen L. Niemchick2Stephen M. Modell3Amy H. Ponte4Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USADepartment of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USAGrand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 49401, USADepartment of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Community Genomics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USAGenedu Health Solutions, Beaufort, SC 29902, USASince the Human Genome Project’s completion in 2003, the need for increased population genetic literacy has grown exponentially. To address this need, public health professionals must be educated appropriately to serve the public best. This study examines the current state of public health genetics education within existing master of public health (MPH) programs. A total of 171 MPH Council on Education for Public Health Accreditation (CEPH)-accredited programs across the nation were identified via a preliminary internet search. The American Public Health Association (APHA) Genomics Forum Policy Committee created 14 survey questions to assess the current status of incorporating genetics/genomics education within MPH programs. Using the Qualtrics survey system through the University of Pittsburgh, a link to the anonymous survey was sent to each director’s email address obtained from their program’s website. There were 41 survey responses, with 37 finished to completion, for a response rate of 21.6% (37/171). A total of 75.7% (28/37) of respondents reported having courses containing genetics/genomics information in their programs’ coursework. Only 12.6% reported such coursework to be required for program completion. Commonly listed barriers to incorporating genetics/genomics include limited faculty knowledge and lack of space in existing courses and programs. Survey results revealed the incongruous and limited incorporation of genetics/genomics within the context of graduate-level public health education. While most recorded programs report offering public health genetics coursework, the extent and requirement of such instruction are not considered necessary for program completion, thereby potentially limiting the genetic literacy of the current pool of public health professionals.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/317public healthgeneticsgenomicsliteracyeducationsurvey |
| spellingShingle | Anastasia M. Jacko Andrea L. Durst Karen L. Niemchick Stephen M. Modell Amy H. Ponte Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals Genes public health genetics genomics literacy education survey |
| title | Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals |
| title_full | Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals |
| title_fullStr | Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals |
| title_short | Public Health Genetics: Surveying Preparedness for the Next Generation of Public Health Professionals |
| title_sort | public health genetics surveying preparedness for the next generation of public health professionals |
| topic | public health genetics genomics literacy education survey |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/317 |
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