Table of Contents
Health and Medicine Policy and Research Issues New at the National Academies Events and Open Meetings

Health and Medicine


US HIV/AIDS Efforts Should Shift Focus to Sustainability

The US government's global HIV/AIDS relief program, known as PEPFAR, is making significant contributions to addressing the pandemic in hard-hit countries, but it should shift its primary focus from providing immediate, emergency relief to building the capacity of affected nations to sustain their fight against HIV/AIDS over future decades, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council.

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Adverse Drug Event Reporting

All drugs undergo extensive safety and efficacy studies before being released; however, these studies can fail to identify potential adverse reactions that are rare or develop over a long period of use. As a result, serious adverse reactions may not be fully appreciated until a drug has been on the market for many years. Although the FDA monitors postmarket adverse drug events through its Adverse Event Reporting System and periodic reports submitted by the drugs' sponsors, concern has been raised about the effectiveness of the current post-market review system. An IOM workshop addressed this critical concern; the resulting workshop summary explores issues associated with the reporting of adverse drug events and considers ways to enhance the roles of clinicians and patients in reporting such events.

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The Learning Healthcare System: Workshop Summary

This summary of an Institute of Medicine workshop on The Learning Healthcare System is the first in a series that will focus on issues important to improving the development and application of evidence in healthcare decision making. The workshop was hosted by the Roundtable on Evidence-Based Medicine.

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Nutrition Standards Proposed for 'Competitive' Foods in Schools

A new report by the Institute of Medicine proposes a set of nutritional standards for foods and drinks available in schools that compete with the national school meal programs. The standards promote consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products and limit the amount of saturated fat, salt, added sugars, and total calories. The standards also recommend against the sale of caffeinated items.

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Outdated Policies Are Impediment for Americans with Disabilities

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act has helped increase awareness of barriers faced by people with disabilities, and advances in science and engineering have led to better assistive technologies that make it easier for individuals to lead productive, independent lives, outdated regulations too often impede access to health care coverage and assistive devices for many who need them, says a new report by the Institute of Medicine.

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Policy and Research Issues


Over $1 Million Awarded to Smart Prosthetics Research Projects

The National Academies Keck Futures Initiative announced the recipients of its 2006 grants, up to $75,000 each, to promote innovative interdisciplinary research on smart prosthetics. The competitive seed grants aim to fill a critical gap for research on bold new ideas. The winners attended a conference held last November where they explored new interdisciplinary responses to developing smart assistive devices.

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Better Data Could Aid Relief and Development Efforts Worldwide

Reliable data on the demographics and locations of populations can bolster humanitarian relief efforts and subsequent recovery programs. National governments and relief organizations should value this kind of information and train relevant practitioners in their own countries to successfully apply it in times of crisis and in any development planning, says a new report from the National Research Council.

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New at the National Academies


National Academies Podcasts Now Available!

Stay informed on topics ranging from climate change to health care to engineering. Our podcast page has all the info you need.

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Events and Open Meetings


Event: The New Industrial Revolution

Is "environmentally sound manufacturing" an oxymoron? Learn how global competition is changing the way goods are made. Companies must reduce costs, produce better products, and do it with environmentally sound processes. Fresh thinking is required. Learn about new developments, new alliances and new technologies making this revolution possible. Gordon Forward, PhD, will deliver this presentation, part of the new "Distinctive Voices" series, on May 2 at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.

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Event: Bridging the Gap

In 2002, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake on the Denali fault rattled the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Had the pipeline not withstood 18' of direct fault displacement, it would have been an environmental catastrophe. Learn how a major disaster was averted. See gripping photos of the fault rupture, debris avalanches, and the pipeline response. World-renowned expert in earthquake geology and champion of earthquake safety Lloyd Cluff will lead this presentation on May 16, part of the new "Distinctive Voices" series at the Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.

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Event: Global Health: Big Problems, Small Successes

In the 20th century life expectancy increased by 30 years, smallpox was eradicated, and polio became nearly nonexistent. Still, 2.5 billion of the world’s people have not benefited; their lives remain short and scarred by communicable diseases. Have any poor countries had any success? What can be done? Dr. Nassim Assefi addresses these and other questions in her presentation on May 23, part of the "Distinctiove Voices" series at the Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.

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Workshop: Forum on the Science of Health Care Quality Improvement and Implementation

What methods should be used to research quality improvement in health care? What are reliable quality improvement strategies that can be implemented now? What lessons can be learned from other industries? How can we address barriers to research, such as funding, ethics, and publication? This workshop will begin to explore these questions and will identify effective quality improvement strategies. Speakers will address the "state of the science" of reviewing health care quality improvement and opportunities to strengthen quality improvement research and its implementation.

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