The Contribution of Health Technology Assessment, Health Needs Assessment, and Health Impact Assessment to the Assessment and Translation of Technologies in the Field of Public Health Genomics

Abstract

The European Union has named genomics as one of the promising research fields for the development of new health technologies. Major concerns with regard to these fields are, on the one hand, the rather slow and limited translation of new knowledge and, on the other hand, missing insights into the impact on public health and health care practice of those technologies that are actually introduced. This paper aims to give an overview of the major assessment instruments in public health [health technology assessment (HTA), health needs assessment (HNA) and health impact assessment (HIA)] which could contribute to the systematic translation and assessment of genomic health applications by focussing at population level and on public health policy making. It is shown to what extent HTA, HNA and HIA contribute to translational research by using the continuum of translational research (T1–T4) in genomic medicine as an analytic framework. The selected assessment methodologies predominantly cover 2 to 4 phases within the T1–T4 system. HTA delivers the most complete set of methodologies when assessing health applications. HNA can be used to prioritize areas where genomic health applications are needed or to identify infrastructural needs. HIA delivers information on the impact of technologies in a wider scope and promotes informed decision making. HTA, HNA and HIA provide a partly overlapping and partly unique set of methodologies and infrastructure for the translation and assessment of genomic health applications. They are broad in scope and go beyond the continuum of T1–T4 translational research regarding policy translation.

<b><i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i></b> Infections and Subfertility: Opportunities to Translate Host Pathogen Genomic Data into Public Health

“…Health policy is generally developed through evidence-based interventions and around general public health instruments, such as Health Technology Assessment (HTA) among others [60,61]. We use the term Public Health Assessment Tools (PHAT) [52] when we refer collectively to Health Needs Assessment, HTA and Health Impact Assessment.…”

“…We use the term Public Health Assessment Tools (PHAT) [52] when we refer collectively to Health Needs Assessment, HTA and Health Impact Assessment. Health Needs Assessment is a systematic method of reviewing the health issues facing a population, leading to agreed upon priorities and resource allocation that will improve health and reduce inequalities [61]. HTA is a multi-disciplinary field of assessment that evaluates the medical, economic, social, legal, ethical, and other implications of the incremental value, diffusion and use of a technology in healthcare [62].…”

Health Literacy: The Essential Catalyst for the Responsible and Effective Translation of Genome-Based Information for the Benefit of Population Health

“…In this case the challenge will be to facilitate a respectful and considerate debate among stakeholder communities (and especially experts) to reach compromise without escalating hype [27]. An example is the assessment of Rosenkötter et al [28] of different tools such as health technology assessment (HTA) and health impact assessment (HIA) to explore the possibilities for evidence guidelines and cooperation to enhance the translation of genome-based health applications for public health practice as these tools have in common the potential to inform and further public dialogue and participation [29]. …”

La investigación traslacional y su aporte para la toma de decisiones en políticas de salud

“…Esta etapa ha sido también llamada "de la investigación a la práctica" y pretende garantizar que los nuevos tratamientos lleguen verdaderamente a los pacientes o poblaciones a las que son destinados y que se ejecuten correctamente (2) . T2 informa acerca de: (a) los grados de aceptabilidad de nuevas drogas en la población, (b) la adherencia a tratamientos y cambios de conductas relacionadas con una nueva intervención, (c) la efectividad o verdadero beneficio en salud en un escenario poblacional real no controlado, y (d) la costo-efectividad de una nueva droga/intervención en escenarios poblacionales (31,32) .…”