Question

Identify at least one idea about public health that you view as a misconception. Describe the misunderstanding involved and explain why you think people share that misconception.

Answer 1

Misconception related to the genomics( study of genetics) in public health:

There is a misconception that genomics have a small impact on public health.

There are thousands of diseases that are individually rare but collectively common. Most rare diseases have a genetic cause. Genome sequencing is now been applied with increasing success in the work-up of patients with rare diseases, ending years of diagnosis and contributing to management of patients and families.A comprehensive public health approach can actually improve health and empower patients and reduce population burden of disease and disability from rare diseases.Public health looks helth as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual well being.It comprises of all dimensions of health.Including genomics in public health has resulted in longer expectation of life and significant decline in death rate. Public health in its present form is a combination of scientific disciplines (eg: epidemiology,biostatics,laboratory sciences , social siences,demography)and skills and strategies ( e.g: epidemiological investigations, planning and management , interventions , surveillance , evaluation) that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of the people.Newborn screening , genetic screening, rehabilitative aspect of disabilities and genetic counselling are the parts of preventive strategies in public health.