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Program Centers
Oversight Unit

Biomedical and Health Sciences Program Area

This program area addresses basic biomedical, translational, clinical, and health sciences research, development, and policy. Our work also addresses workforce issues, bioethics, legal and societal contexts, and the resilience and health security of communities.

Work with us

In progress

News and Updates

Clinicians Should Focus on Symptom Evaluation and Continuity of Care Following Jet Fuel Releases in Oahu, Says New Report Examining Health Risks from Potential Exposures

News Release

A new National Academies report recommends guidance for clinicians caring for individuals who were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated by jet fuel accidently released on Oahu, Hawaii, in November 2021. The report also calls for continued environmental oversight of the drinking water system, health research, surveillance of the exposed community, and other efforts to rebuild trust.

Mar 19, 2026
Aerial view of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. From front to back - Pearl City Penninsula, (front right) Middle Loch with remnants of WWII mothball fleet, Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu International Airport with Hickam Field to right, Honolulu, and Diamond Head. Photographed August 9, 2012, by 2018 the mothball fleet was gone.

National Academies Publish New Report Reviewing Evidence for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and U.S. Climate, Health, and Welfare

News Release

A new National Academies report reviews evidence gathered by the scientific community since 2009 on greenhouse gas emissions and their effects on U.S. climate, health, and welfare.

Sep 17, 2025
Wildfire in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, January 8, 2025, towards Getty Center and Brentwood. Images showcase dense smoke clouds, burning hillsides, and urban areas at risk. 2pm - 3pm.

National Academies Launch Fast-Track Review of Latest Evidence for Whether Greenhouse Gas Emissions Endanger Public Health and Welfare

News Release

Aug 7, 2025
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) building
About Events Projects Publications/Resources News and Updates

Upcoming Events

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery and Late Effects for Social Security Disability Evaluation: Committee Meeting 3

  • April 15 - 16, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

This is the third meeting for the Committee on Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery and Late Effects for Social Security Disability Evaluation. Committee and staff will meet in closed session...

Mental Health After Traumatic Brain Injury - From Evidence to Integrated Care: A Workshop

  • May 11 - 12, 2026
  • Workshop
  • Upcoming

This workshop will explore how traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects mental health, including depression, anxiety, and other conditions, and what we know about why these issues can develop after TBI. I...

Perspectives on the Impact of Selected Military Exposures on Neurologic Outcomes: Listening Sessions

  • May 20 - 21, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Upcoming

Listening Sessions Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m. ET Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 11:30a.m. - 1:00p.m. ET About the Activity The National Academies has launched a study to determine the...

Exploring Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Clinical Cancer Research and Care: A Virtual Workshop Series Part 1

  • June 15, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Upcoming

There is growing recognition of the direct and indirect impact of extreme weather events across the continuum of clinical cancer research and care. This virtual workshop series will examine the impact...

A medical emergency services vehicle ambulance is speeding - responding to an urgent call with blinding headlights, flashing emergency lights and shrieking siren - as it approaches on an urban street during a night time raging blizzard snow storm near Rochester, New York State, USA.

Engaging Community-Based Practices in Clinical Trials - A Workshop

  • July 14 - 15, 2026
  • Workshop
  • Upcoming

An ad hoc planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will organize a public workshop on the opportunities and practical considerations for engaging community-b...

Past Events

Health and Safety Impacts of Aircraft Cabin Temperatures - Response to Review Call 1

  • April 9, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Full committee call to discuss report revisions in response to reviewer comments.

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews - Subgroup Meeting

  • April 2, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

These are subgroup meetings to discuss the working group topics.

Neurodegenerative Outcomes and Selected Military Exposures (Meeting 4)

  • April 2 - 3, 2026
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This is the second in-person meeting of the Committee.

Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies - Meeting 53

  • March 30 - 31, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Past

In this meeting, forum members will: Examine how the U.S. medical countermeasures landscape is evolving and consider what that evolution means for preparedness over the next decade, including how fed...

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers: Working Group Meeting - March 23, 2026

  • March 23, 2026
  • 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This meeting was a continuation to finalize text in the report in preparation for review.

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews - Subgroup Meeting

  • March 23 - 27, 2026
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

These are subgroup meetings to discuss the working group topics.

Clinical Follow-Up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill (Public Report Release Webinar)

  • March 19, 2026
  • 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

This is a public webinar to discuss the report release for the NASEM consensus study on Clinical Follow-Up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill. At a public release webinar, me...

Aerial view of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, USA. From front to back - Pearl City Penninsula, (front right) Middle Loch with remnants of WWII mothball fleet, Ford Island, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu International Airport with Hickam Field to right, Honolulu, and Diamond Head. Photographed August 9, 2012, by 2018 the mothball fleet was gone.

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers: Working Group Meeting - March 17, 2026

  • March 17, 2026
  • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The subgroup will discuss epidemiological issues related to the report.

Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation: Meeting 63

  • March 17 - 18, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Past

This is the March 2026 membership meeting of the Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery and Late Effects for Social Security Disability Evaluation Working Group Call 1

  • March 16, 2026
  • 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers Meeting 8 (Part 2)

  • March 13, 2026
  • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This is a continuation of the committee's assessment of the report in preparation for review.

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers: Working Group Meeting - March 12, 2026 (Morning Subgroup Meeting)

  • March 12, 2026
  • 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group meeting was to discuss aspects of data and its presentation for the report.

Neurodegenerative Outcomes and Selected Military Exposures (Meeting 3)

  • March 11 - 12, 2026
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The full committee will meet virtually in two sessions over March 11-12 to discuss the literature search strategy and results to date as well as decisions regarding inclusion criteria and methods to a...

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers Meeting 8 (Part 1)

  • March 11, 2026
  • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The committee will assess the report in preparation for review.

Forum on Regenerative Medicine - March 2026

  • March 10 - 11, 2026
  • Meeting
  • Past

This is the Spring 2026 Membership Meeting of the Forum on Regenerative Medicine. Members will receive an update on current activities, discuss emerging topics, and plan for future events.
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