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The Cook County Department of Public Health's Genetics Program provides services to families affected by genetic conditions, conditions they inherit. The goal is to ensure that a correct diagnosis is made and families receive current information on the specific genetic condition. Genetic disorders may be identified at birth through routine hospital-based newborn screening. Infants who have had positive screening tests through the newborn screening are referred to their local health department.

The Cook County Department of Public Health provides a screening test for all infants for hearing issues before discharge from the hospital. If an infant fails or misses the hearing test done in the hospital before they are released to go home, the hospital refers him or her to their local health department. Public Health Nurses will link families identified through this program to an audiologist for further testing and management as needed. A home visit may also be made to the family and infant to assist in the referral and follow-up process.