A Design Thinking Mindset Beyond the Public Health Model

• Author: Kee Chan
• Date: 01 March 2018
• Published date: 01 March 2018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.253

A Design Thinking Mindset Beyond the Public Health

Model

Kee Chan

In the era of precision medicine, where sequencing genome technology is emerging and extending to

the general public, a question remains unclear: Can we bridge policies and programs to foster a

human-centered focus on public health and wellness using personalized medical technology? Public

health wellness is a byproduct of the social determinants of health and genetic factors. Research has

shown that our epigenetic inf‌luences impact our health and well-being more signif‌icantly than what

is in our genetic code. How might we design our health and wellness efforts to achieve a healthier

population? This commentary highlights the application of design thinking as a driver toward a

human-centered approach in developing policy by maximizing our understanding of genetic code

and new technology in the context of human needs and values for population health. Using the

parameters of a design thinking theoretical approach, this paper suggests using a logic model

framework to assess and evaluate the impact of precision medicine initiatives on public health and

public wellness. By applying the core principles of design thinking: (i) empathy, (ii) observation,

(iii) ideation, (iv) prototyping, and (v) experimentation in a system framework, we can foster a

collaborative, collective approach to transforming public health.

KEY WORDS: design thinking, social determinants of health, public health model, genomics,

behavioral interventions

Introduction

Since the completion of the human genome project, researchers and scientists

have conducted numerous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to depict

biological markers that could be associated with disease and health status, with

the hope to develop better screening protocols, to personalize treatment based on

one’s genetic make-up, and to circumvent the manifestation of disease. However,

the level of accuracy and predictability of GWAS research to actualize a cure and

intervention was short-sighted, because we understand social factors such as

economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health

care, and neighborhood and built environment can have a more impactful effect

on our disease predisposition and well-being. Yet, even with the exploration and

World Medical & Health Policy, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2018

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doi: 10.1002/wmh3.253

#2018 Policy Studies Organization