As the capability to sequence an individual’s genome or exome continues to expand—and the cost continues to fall—more states are considering how next generation sequencing (NGS) could support their newborn screening programs, which test approximately four million babies born in the United States each year for congenital, treatable diseases.
Results from NGS can help enhance newborn screening programs by providing more information beyond traditional biochemical and other tests. Not all states have the expertise needed to interpret NGS results,

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Health information technology can play an important role in helping to achieve the aims of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This year marks the 30th anniversary of the passage of the ADA – a major milestone in our Nation’s history that has helped increase access and opportunity for individuals with disabilities. The ADA prohibits discrimination and is intended to guarantee that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to fully participate in mainstream American life, including state and local programs and services.

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Opportunity knocks for NIH researchers, who will be able to leverage clinical data from electronic health record (EHR) systems with increased frequency and consistency. The passage of the 21st Century Cures Act (Cures Act) has charted a path toward increasing access to and interoperability of electronic health information for clinical care. This, in turn, has paved the way to leverage relevant policies, systems, and infrastructure to accelerate research. In parallel, researchers have been challenged to make data from a single research study,

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