Kurt D Christensen, Ph.D.
Title Assistant Professor of Population Medicine Institution Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Department Population Medicine Address Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute Landmark Center, Department of Population Medicine 401 Park Dr Boston MA 02215
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Overview
A future where genomic information is readily available is rapidly approaching. Whether this information improves public health by improving patient care and empowering prevention, or whether it diminishes public health by motivating unnecessary follow-up testing and screening is unclear. I use my training in health economics, biochemistry, public health, and health behavior and health education to address these issues by focusing on three interrelated questions: 1) How do patients and physicians respond, behaviorally and psychologically, to information generated from emerging genomic technologies like whole genome sequencing? 2) What is the healthcare service and economic impact of integrating genomics into the everyday practice of medicine? 3) How can programs be improved to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms of genomic testing? The answers to these questions are essential as healthcare providers and policymakers make decisions about how to offer and support new genomic services.

Research
The research activities and funding listed below are automatically derived from
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R01HL143295
(GREEN, ROBERT C.)
Jul 1, 2019 - Jun 30, 2023
Return of Genomic Results and Estimating Penetrance in Population-Based Cohorts
Role Description: The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop and implement a genomic
return of result process in the Framingham Heart Study and Jackson Heart Study
cohorts and explore associated medical, behavioral and economic outcomes. We will also develop ways to automate and streamline genomic variant interpretation at scale, and develop analyses to aid assessment of penetrance.
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20182750
(CHRISTENSEN, KURT DEREK)
Feb 12, 2019 - Dec 31, 2022
Medical/Economic ImpactT and Behavioral Responses to Integrating the Sanford ChipS (METRICS) Study
Role Description: This goal of this research agreement is to summarize the impact of integrating
pharmacogenetic and disease predisposition information into patient care within primary
care settings, including the effect on clinician preparedness, provider and patient
behaviors, medical and economic outcomes, and familial outcomes.
Role: Principal Investigators
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R01HG009922
(GREEN, ROBERT C.)
Sep 21, 2018 - Jun 30, 2021
Experiences and Outcomes in Early Adopters of Predispositional Sequencing
Role Description: The objective of this research is to aggregate data from, and assess the value of, personal predispositional genome sequencing among participants in present day projects focused on sequencing apparently healthy individuals.
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R01HD090019
(WU, ANN CHEN)
Sep 11, 2017 - May 31, 2022
Precision Medicine Policy and Treatment (PreEMPT) Model
Role Description: This goal of this grant is to develop a detailed computer microsimulation model capable of
simulating the clinical benefits, potential risks, and cost consequences associated with the
integration of different genomic sequencing screening strategies into clinical care.
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FA8650-17-2-6704
(GREEN, ROBERT C.)
Jan 1, 2017 - Dec 31, 2019
MilSeq: Enabling Personalized Medicine through Exome Sequencing in the U.S. Air Force
Role Description: The goal of this project is to test a pilot protocol for integrating genomic sequencing into
the care of active duty airmen.
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K01HG009173
(CHRISTENSEN, KURT DEREK)
Sep 9, 2016 - Jun 30, 2021
Cost-effectiveness of Whole Genome Sequencing of Healthy Adults
Role Description: The central goal of this research is to determine the cost-effectiveness of integrating
whole genome sequencing into the care of healthy adults. One project will assess the
health impact and cumulative healthcare costs of whole genome sequencing five years
after participants of a randomized controlled trial received results. A second project will
extend these analyses over patients’ lifetimes using decision analytic models. Findings
will inform development of clinical guidelines and reimbursement strategies to accelerate
the integration of sequencing into medical care.
Role: Principal Investigator
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U01HG008685
(KARLSON, ELIZABETH W ;MURPHY, SHAWN N;SMOLLER, JORDAN W)
Sep 1, 2015 - Apr 30, 2025
eMERGE Phase IV Clinical Center at Mass General Brigham
Role Description: The eMERGE III Clinical Center leverages a large biobank and rich EMR to define the phenotypic impact of mutations emerging from sequencing. It then returns actionable results to biobank participants.
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U19HD077671
(GREEN, ROBERT C.)
Sep 5, 2013 - Aug 31, 2019
Genome Sequence-Based Screening for Childhood Risk and Newborn Illness
Role Description: The goal of this project is to develop a process for analyzing and reporting the results of
genome sequencing in the newborn period.
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F32HG006993
(CHRISTENSEN, KURT DEREK)
Aug 7, 2012 - Aug 6, 2014
Incidental Finding Preferences in Whole Genome Sequencing: A Randomized Trial
Role Description: The goal of this training grant was to understand how different types of incidental findings from genomic sequencing may affect the interactions between primary care providers and their patients.
Role: Principal Investigator
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U01HG006500
(GREEN, ROBERT C.)
Dec 5, 2011 - Nov 30, 2017
Integration of Whole Genome Sequencing into Clinical Medicine
Role Description: This project explored the application of genomic sequence data to the care of patients
within an active clinical setting. We are randomizing primary care and cardiology
patients to receive clinical information derived from whole genome sequencing versus
current standard of care.
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R01HG002213
(GREEN, ROBERT C.)
Sep 30, 1999 - Jun 30, 2014
Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer's Disease (REVEAL IV)
Role Description: The goal of this project was to assess the impact of disclosing genetic risk information about Alzheimer’s disease, including strategies for streamlining counseling, education and disclosure, the effects of disclosing secondary findings, and the impact of disclosure on individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
Role: Co-Investigator (2006-2014)

Bibliographic
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