THE ROLE OF GENOMIC SCREENING IN TRANSFORMING PUBLIC HEALTH Understanding ethical, legal & social impacts of genomic screening
With
Dr Jane Tiller, Ethical, Legal & Social Adviser,
Public Health Genomics, Monash University
PEOPLE IN HEALTH CARE SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | July 2025
Dr Jane Tiller is a lawyer, genetic counsellor and public health researcher. She is Ethical, Legal & Social Adviser in Public Health Genomics at Monash University, and a National Health and Medical Research Council Investigator Grant holder. Jane is passionate about the use of genomics to prevent disease, and in delivering equitable access to preventive genetic information at the population level. She is co-lead of DNA Screen, a world-first study piloting the offer of preventive DNA screening to the Australian adult population. DNA Screen has tested over 10,000 young people for genetic high risk of medically actionable conditions such as cancer and heart disease, finding about 2% of participants had genetic high risk. Jane is leading efforts to secure Commonwealth Government funding to expand the DNA Screen program, with the eventual goal of the development of a public health population screening program for disease prevention based on high genetic risk.
Jane also focusses on identifying and addressing the ethical, legal and social barriers to public acceptability and uptake of genetic screening. She co-founded the Australian Genetic Non-Discrimination Working Group, and led a project from 2020-2023 about genetic discrimination in life insurance. Jane led significant advocacy efforts towards translating her research findings into real world policy change. She was instrumental in the Government’s 2024 announcement that it will legislate a total ban on the use of genetic results in life insurance underwriting. Jane’s work has been recognised through a number of competitive awards, including recently the prestigious 2024 Research Australia Advocacy Award.
Source: Supplied
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Allied Health Building Leadership Experience in Tasmania
A notable program run by Hospitals South is the ABLE program, or Allied Health Building Leadership Experience. This program was created to address the challenge of allied health professionals being seen as a single entity, rather than as individual disciplines, when it comes to leadership and management opportunities. The program is delivered entirely internally, with seminars presented by senior staff and mentorship opportunities for participants to become more effective representatives of allied health in meetings and working groups.
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Inaugural Rural and Remote Health Awards
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There are significant personal, professional and financial rewards for rural healthcare professionals. However, there are also challenges – isolation, long hours, confusion about where to turn for support.
To acknowledge and celebrate the work of Rural and Remote Health Professionals, Rural Health Pro have launched the inaugural National Rural and Remote Health Awards.
