“Reports & Events” is a monthly tip sheet for the news media that highlights selected meetings of interest and reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Selected Events in September 2020

All facilities of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are closed.  All gatherings have been converted to virtual meetings.  Click on each event title below to access meeting details, an agenda, and registration information, or contact the Office of News and Public Information (e-mail news@nas.edu). Reporters should register for all meetings.  More events can be found at https://www.nationalacademies.org/events.

Public Listening Session: Discussion Draft of the Preliminary Framework for Equitable Allocation of COVID-19 Vaccine
Sept. 2
A National Academies committee tasked with developing an overarching framework to assist policymakers in planning for equitable allocation of a vaccine against COVID-19 will host a public listening session, which will include a brief presentation on their draft framework and an opportunity for members of the public to provide feedback to the committee directly.  The discussion draft of the preliminary framework will be posted for public comment on Sept. 1. 

Mutual Recognition Agreements in the Regulation of Medicines: Regulatory Reliance
Sept. 4
Medicine regulators in some countries do not collaborate with their counterparts in other countries to the extent they could — which is a missed opportunity, especially in the midst of a pandemic. This webinar will focus on the barriers to greater use of regulatory reliance during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding on the themes of a 2019 National Academies report.

Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States: Public Input Meetings
Sept. 9 and 14
To inform a consensus study on prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections in the United States, the study committee will hold two virtual meetings to hear from individuals about their experiences with issues related to STIs. These discussions will include voices that are marginalized and often missing from the national conversation on addressing STIs. Registration is mandatory. Please email STIPrevention@nas.edu to register.

Using Systems Applications to Inform Obesity Solutions
Sept. 16
Systems modeling techniques are a promising tool for better understanding the causes of the obesity epidemic and formulating solutions. Panelists at this workshop will discuss how systems modeling approaches are used to help inform policy and program decisions.

Safety and Efficacy of UVC to Fight COVID-19
Sept. 16
The Gilbert W. Beebe Webinar Series was organized to promote discussion of the health effects of radiation. This second webinar will explore the safety and efficacy of ultraviolet light to fight COVID-19.

Sex Differences in Brain Disorders: Emerging Transcriptomic Evidence and Implications for Therapeutic Development—A Workshop
Sept. 23
This workshop will explore emerging evidence regarding sex differences in brain disorders, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug addiction, and neurodegenerative conditions. Experts will discuss how these differences could have ramifications for therapeutic development, preclinical and clinical study design, regulatory approval, and potential sex-specific treatments.

Family Planning, Women’s Empowerment, and Population and Societal Impacts
Sept. 24 and 25
This workshop will bring together experts to discuss conceptual, methodological, and policy issues around family planning, women’s empowerment, fertility decline, and population and societal impacts.

Capacity Impacts of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles
Sept. 29
Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) are the wave of the future, but is the road infrastructure ready for them? This webinar will discuss findings from a nationally pooled fund study on planning level capacity impacts of CAVs. Presenters will evaluate the impacts of CAVs on freeways and arterials under varying market penetration rates.

Reports Scheduled for Release in September

Release dates for the following consensus reports and proceedings from the National Academies depend on successful completion of the review process and publishing schedules. Reporters who would like to be notified when a report is due for release should contact the Office of News and Public Information (e-mail news@nas.edu) and ask to be placed on a contact list.

Addressing Sickle Cell Disease: A Strategic Plan and Blueprint for Action

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is estimated to affect approximately 100,000 Americans, heavily impacting Black populations. This report will provide guidance on priorities and needed innovations for programs, policies, and research related to SCD. It will also make recommendations to overcome barriers to access to care, pain management, and transitions from pediatric to adult care.

Biological Collections: Ensuring Critical Research and Education for the 21st Century

This report will review the past and present contributions of biological collections, including preserved specimens and living stocks, in research and education. The report will explore the greatest challenges in maintaining biological collections, and recommend long-term strategies for sustained support.

Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: Eighth Biennial Review

Since 2004, the National Academies have provided biennial reviews of progress toward restoring the Everglades and advice on scientific and engineering issues that may impact progress.  This latest report will review progress toward achieving the goals of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

Report from the International Commission on the Clinical Use of Human Germline Genome Editing

An international commission convened by the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Sciences, and the U.K.’s Royal Society will release a report that includes a framework for scientists, clinicians, and regulatory authorities to consider when assessing potential clinical applications of human germline genome editing.

ALSO OF INTEREST

Disaster Resources from the National Academies
As Hurricane Laura bears down on parts of Louisiana and Texas, officials are dealing with the challenge of evacuating and sheltering people, all in the midst of a pandemic. The National Academies have numerous resources related to disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other extreme events.

Resources on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Explore the National Academies’ latest news and resources related to COVID-19, as well as consensus studies and workshop proceedings on the subject of pandemic infectious disease. 

Resources on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Across the nation, Americans are calling for an end to police brutality and long-standing racial injustice in the midst of a global pandemic that is disproportionately impacting minorities and other vulnerable communities. A range of work at the National Academies explores research in social science, medicine, and other fields can shed light on the factors that drive systemic inequities — not only in society at large but also within the sciences, engineering, and medicine.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS

• The National Academies’ Newsroom  
• Highlights from Latest PNAS Articles | PNAS in the News | Register to receive embargoed material from the PNAS News Office
• Reports and other National Academies publications
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