Precision public health in the era of genomics and big data

Abstract

Precision public health (PPH) considers the interplay between genetics, lifestyle and the environment to improve disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment on a population level-thereby delivering the right interventions to the right populations at the right time. In this Review, we explore the concept of PPH as the next generation of public health. We discuss the historical context of using individual-level data in public health interventions and examine recent advancements in how data from human and pathogen genomics and social, behavioral and environmental research, as well as artificial intelligence, have transformed public health. Real-world examples of PPH are discussed, emphasizing how these approaches are becoming a mainstay in public health, as well as outstanding challenges in their development, implementation and sustainability. Data sciences, ethical, legal and social implications research, capacity building, equity research and implementation science will have a crucial role in realizing the potential for 'precision' to enhance traditional public health approaches.

Fig. 1 |. Precision public health.

Human and pathogen genomics, social, behavioral, environmental and other individual-level data inform PPH; data sciences (including AI approaches), ethical, legal and socialimplications (ELSI) research, capacity building, equity research and implementation science offer methods to advance the impact of PPH. Together, these factors will play a critical part in realizing the potential for precision to enhance standard public health approaches.