The age of personalized medicine is arriving during a challenging time in health care. Stakeholders from multiple sectors of American society have recognized that the trajectory of health care cost in the U.S. is not sustainable. Despite spending more on health care than any other industrialized nation, outcomes for key health indicators in the U.S. are suboptimal. New medical technologies have been identified as a driver of cost increases, often with little evidence of a favorable return on investment. It is little wonder that many health care providers are somewhat suspicious that the complex new technologies of genomic “personalized medicine” will do little more than further increase health care costs and widen health disparities. Overcoming this suspicion will require substantial evidence to the contrary.

New models for translational research will be required to develop and implement evidence-based “personalized medicine” approaches. This presentation will describe the Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention Network (GAPPNet). GAPPNet provides an emerging model for multi-stakeholder engagement and participation in translating genomic discoveries to validated and accepted health care applications. GAPPNet as currently envisioned will encompass four major activities:

1. Knowledge synthesis and dissemination for new and existing technologies, and the identification of knowledge gaps,
2. A robust evidence-based recommendation development process,
3. Translation research to evaluate validity, utility and impact in the real world and methods to disseminate and implement recommended genomic applications
4. Programs to enhance practice, education, and surveillance.