Genomic Literacy, Education and Engagement Initiative

The profound advances in genomics over the past decade are rapidly leading to exciting opportunities for using genomic information as part of medical care and various aspects of everyday life.

The GLEE initiative, organized as a public-private partnership, is a proposed five-year effort focused on creating collaborations among new and existing genomic education and engagement programs to advance genomic literacy. Recognizing that the integration of genomic advances within medicine and broader society will require an informed and engaged public that is equipped and empowered by the knowledge they need to make informed healthcare-related decisions, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) envisioned the GLEE initiative as a means to stimulate synergy and coordination across sectors.

Recognizing the importance of distinguishing the key stakeholders, the initiative targets three primary audiences: K-16 students and educators, public and community-based groups, and healthcare professionals

Working groups targeting each audience have been established, and these three ‘activity tracks’ will provide the general framework for GLEE to pursue its overarching objectives. Components will include public awareness campaigns, dissemination of targeted communication and informational resources, and the launch of community-appropriate engagement programs, with milestones and benchmarks defined for each to measure progress and impact. The successful implementation of GLEE should enhance the preparedness of individuals, communities, and healthcare professionals for the integration of genomic information and technologies into healthcare – as well as into society more broadly.

On March 13-14, 2017, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in partnership with the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) hosted a strategic visioning meeting for a proposed GLEE Initiative.

The meeting was held at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland and ~160 people attended from diverse communities including academia, industry, community-based organizations, non-profits, government, K-16 education organizations. At the meeting, participants discussed proposed elements from working groups focused on each of the three target audiences, and proposed a cohesive strategic vision for any such initiative over the next 1-5 years.

The meeting agenda, working group white papers, and executive summary of the meeting report can be found below.

• GLEE Meeting Summary
• GLEE Meeting Attendee List
• GLEE Meeting Agenda
   
• K-16 Working Group Presentation, Bryony Ruegg, Ph.D
• Healthcare Provider Working Group Presentation, Katie Johansen Taber, Ph.D.
• Community/Public Working Group Presentation, Louisa Stark, Ph.D.