Chief Medical Officers meeting on implementing a public health genomics approach

During the Italian Presidency of the Council of European Union, on October, 2014, the Italian Ministry of Health invited the Chief Medical Officers in Rome for a meeting on the European policies of public health genomics. Following reports on the current policies of public health genomics in Italy and Europe, the policy implications for health systems of advancements in genomics were discussed. Specifically, participants at the CMOs’ Meeting acknowledged the challenge faced in effectively and responsibly integrating genomics into public health research, policy and practice. Additionally, the participants agreed that the translation process need to be supported by empirical evidence of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The participants agreed that the application of genome-based technologies and information for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of public health significance still holds a great promise. These advances also raise certain ethical, legal and social issues concerning the potential of genomics to undermine the collectivistic approach in public health and thus equity. health and thus equity.