As research in genomic sciences advances, new knowledge will be generated and new opportunities for the promotion of population health will be offered. Such advances will require changes in public health programmes and policies, and will need both specialized and general public education and training to enhance awareness, build competencies, make informed decisions, and ensure continuity of access to health services.

Public Health Genomics (PHG) is defined as the field which assesses the impact of genes on population's health and their interaction with behaviour, diet and the environment. Moreover, PHG is an emerging field which translates genome-based knowledge and technologies "from cell to society" and back, and into public policy and health services, for the benefit of population health.

Nevertheless, as of today, genetic determinants are still hardly recognised as playing a key role in the understanding of diseases, and little attention has been paid in targeting individuals according to their genetic profiles. Indeed, there has been no systematic integration of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public health research, policy and practice, which to date, have mainly dealt with environmental determinants of health and diseases.
Thus, ongoing exchange of knowledge and best practice in this rapid growing field is needed, and the public health agenda demands a vision that reaches beyond the current research horizon, in order to apply these innovations for the benefit of population's health.

In this context, in 2005 the European Union (EU) selected for funding the Public Health Genomics European Network (PHGEN) project. PHGEN aims to serve the European Commission (EC) as an "early detection unit" for horizon scanning, fact finding, and monitoring of the integration of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public health. By working with other networks established by the European Commission (EC), PHGEN will ensure that, as public health systems exploit advances in genetics, the rights of individuals are protected. PHGEN will also give concrete recommendations on how genome-based knowledge can responsibly and effectively be integrated into public health.

The first phase of PHGEN, PHGEN I (1/2006-3/2009), was a networking exercise to develop a common understanding of PHG between all stakeholders in Europe, and it identified the need for European coherent guidelines in the field. PHGEN I specific goals were: to identify key experts in PHG in Europe; provide an inventory of PHG issues and priorities; contribute to the co-operation and exchange of information; identify legal diversities and barriers in a cross-border market and support effective networking among countries in order to reach sustainability.

PHGEN II (06/2009-06/2012) is the second phase of the project, and it builds on the work and experiences of PHGEN I in order to produce the first edition of "European Best Practice Guidelines for Quality Assurance, Provision and Use of Genome-based Information and Technologies".
The guidelines will be part of the new Health Strategy of the EU, foster the approach of Health in all Policies, and encourage the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy. The guidelines will acknowledge the diversity and cultural plurality in Europe, and will help to protect human rights and preserve equity and solidarity in health care and public health in Europe.
The project uses an interdisciplinary approach and reviews the available evidence, including evidence emerging from relevant European research and health action networks in order to avoid duplication of EU work and funding. Indeed, key experts, patient groups and networks like EuroGentest, EUnetHTA, NUGO and Orphanet are involved into PHGEN II, and their expertise will be employed to assess existing guidelines, identify gaps and set up a coherent, evidence-based framework. By this, the often seen gap of knowledge transfer between basic science, health services delivery and public health is minimized.

Finally, PHGEN II will follow the methodology of the Public Health Trias to ensure a timely and evidence-based development of the guidelines. The process of guidelines development will be in line with international standards and include a public consultation process via internet, a pilot of the guidelines by the use of case studies and an Endorsement panel.

Click on the PHGEN logo on top of this page to access PHGEN website.