The national health genomics policy framework

Abstract

Genomic technology holds promise for faster and more accurate diagnosis of disease, better disease prevention and targeted medical care for Australians, but its integration into Australia's health system is not without challenges. To address this, at the Council of Australian Governments Health Council (CHC) meeting of November 2017, Australian Health Ministers agreed on Australia’s first National Health Genomics Policy Framework (the Framework). The Framework will capitalise on emerging genomic knowledge by better integrating genomics into the Australian health system. The Framework is focused on a whole-of-governments and system-focused approach with the public at its core. Australian Governments are dedicated to implementing the Framework and to guiding the integration of genomics into healthcare so that its benefits may be delivered in an ethical, sustainable and equitable way. As such, the Health Ministers also agreed to the development of an Implementation Plan for their Framework for CHC consideration in the first half of 2018.