Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Health Services

Advisor

Ji Shen

Abstract

Although evidence is currently available for population-based genetic screening and testing of individuals and their family members for certain hereditary chronic disease conditions (Tier 1), few states have integrated these genomic applications into chronic disease prevention programs. State and territorial chronic disease directors (CDDs) could provide the leadership needed to deliver these applications in more states. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an association exists between current chronic disease genomics funding or specific state genomic activities and the level of knowledge and interests in genomics by these directors. Rogers's diffusion of innovations (DIT) theory was used to explain the current climate of state chronic disease genomics and the need for an innovation champion to promote these evidence-based applications both in and out of the state health departments. A nonexperimental, cross-sectional, correlational survey of CDDs (N = 58) was performed using the Chronic Disease Director's Survey and results were analyzed using chi-square, independent t test, ANOVA, logistic regression, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results showed CDDs knowledge of genomics is unrelated to current state funding; however, CDD knowledge and interest in genomics was associated with inclusion of genetics in cancer control and cardiovascular health action plans, Tier 1 condition education, privacy and nondiscrimination laws, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) genomics questions, and frequent collaborations with outside entities. These results provide clear ideas to increase CDDs knowledge and interest in chronic disease genomics and potentially impact Tier 1 genomics implementation in more states.

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