Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children

The Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children (ACHDGDNC) was chartered in February 2003 to advise the Secretary regarding the most appropriate application of universal newborn screening tests, technologies, policies, guidelines and standards for effectively reducing morbidity and mortality in newborns and children having, or at risk for, heritable disorders.

ACHDGDNC assists the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically by providing:

• advice and recommendations concerning the grants and projects authorized under the Heritable Disorders Program;
• technical information to develop policies and priorities for this program that will enhance the ability of the State and local health agencies to provide for newborn and child screening, counseling and health care services for newborns and children having or at risk for heritable disorders; and
• recommendations, advice or information that may be necessary to enhance, expand or improve the ability of the Secretary to reduce the mortality or morbidity in newborns and children from heritable disorders.