Public Health Genomics at CDC

Key points

  • CDC's Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics (DBDPHG) works to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce health inequities for people at increased genetic risk across the lifespan, so they can have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
sequencing and a double helix

Overview

Thousands of inherited genetic disorders affect millions of people in the United States. Many people with genetic disorders are more likely to

  • Have health problems.
  • Require specialized care.
  • Be hospitalized.
  • Have higher healthcare costs.
  • Need to take time off work or school.
  • Die at a younger age.

In addition, many people with genetic disorders face barriers to health equity that are related to social determinants of health. Social determinants of health refer to conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect health and quality of life. CDC's Division of Blood Disorders and Public Health Genomics (DBDPHG) works to promote health, prevent disease, and reduce health inequities for people with genetic disorders of all ages, so they can be as healthy as possible.