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Table 4 Public health attitudes of the responding public health professionals towards predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases

From: Are public health professionals prepared for public health genomics? A cross-sectional survey in Italy

Variables

Agree

Uncertain

Disagree

%

%

%

Predictive genetic tests increase prevention opportunities for chronic diseases (788)a

76.5

17.5

6.0

Predictive genetic tests able to identify an increased risk of developing a disease should be introduced in the clinical and public health practice even without health interventions with proven efficacy (788)a

22.0

20.2

57.9

Predictive genetic tests should be introduced in the clinical and public health practice only if economic evaluations show cost-effectiveness ratios favorable compared with alternative health interventions (787)a

55.7

26.0

18.3

Authoritative and evidence based guidelines are needed for the appropriate use of predictive genetic tests (788)a

95.2

4.2

0.6

Predictive genetic tests can contribute efficaciously to health promotion and disease prevention only if included in wider strategies taking into account the other available health interventions (788)a

90.5

6.9

2.7

The implementation of predictive genetic testing in the clinical and public health practice, being a medical matter, should not take into account ethical, legal and social implications (788)a

8.1

9.4

82.5

  1. Note: Percentages referring to answers denoting a positive public health attitude are in bold.
  2. aNumber of public health professionals responding to the question.