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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.

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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

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...

Webinar Series on Critical Resource Continuity: Webinar 2 - MEDICAL OXYGEN: Building Resilient Oxygen Systems

  • May 11, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Upcoming

The purpose of this webinar in the series is to scope and understand the vulnerabilities, dependencies, and systemic challenges that affect the continuity of medical oxygen supplies. The series is int...

Oxygen cylinder.

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews: Webinar #7

  • May 13, 2026
  • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Upcoming

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews will hold an an open session webinar on May 13,...

Webinar Series on Critical Resource Continuity: Webinar 3 - SALINE: Strengthening Resilience of Intravenous Saline Supply

  • May 18, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Upcoming

The purpose of this webinar in the series is to scope and understand the vulnerabilities, dependencies, and systemic challenges that affect the continuity of saline supplies. The series is intended to...

Infusion in hospital.

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

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews: Webinar #8

  • May 21, 2026
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Upcoming

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews will hold an an open session webinar on May 21,...

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

Webinar Series on Critical Resource Continuity: Webinar 1 - BLOOD: Ensuring Continuity and Resilience of the U.S. Blood System

  • May 4, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

The purpose of this webinar in the series is to scope and understand the vulnerabilities, dependencies, and systemic challenges that affect the continuity of blood supplies. The series is intended to...

Blood bags in refrigerated storage compartment with human blood ready for donation.

Neurodegenerative Outcomes and Selected Military Exposures (Meeting 5)

  • May 1, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

The full committee will discuss updates to the project, including status of literature review and process for quality assessment and the upcoming veteran listening session.

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews: Webinar #6

  • May 1, 2026
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews will hold an an open session webinar on May 1, 2...

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers (Working Group Meeting - May 1, 2026)

  • May 1, 2026
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group meeting was to discuss reviewer comments and response.

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers (Working Group Meeting - April 30, 2026)

  • April 30, 2026
  • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group meeting was to discuss reviewer comments and response.

Neurodegenerative Outcomes and Selected Military Exposures Work Group Meeting 7

  • April 29, 2026
  • 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group will discuss the literature around biologic mechanisms of outcomes and exposures.

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development: Report Release Webinar

  • April 29, 2026
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

Join us for a webinar introducing a new report on the biosafety, biosecurity, and environmental considerations of synthetic cell research and development. The webinar will be held virtually on April 2...

Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health - April 2026 Meeting

  • April 29 - 30, 2026
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This was the Spring 2026 Membership Meeting of the Roundtable on Genomics and Precision Health. Members received an update on current activities, discussed emerging topics, and planned for future even...

Standing Committee on Emerging Infectious Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats: April 2026 Meeting

  • April 28, 2026
  • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (EDT)
  • Meeting
  • Past

This meeting of the Standing Committee on Emerging Infectous Diseases and 21st Century Health Threats includes both closed sessions for bias and conflict of interest discussions and open sessions for...

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews: Webinar #5

  • April 27, 2026
  • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews will hold an public webinar on April 27, 2026, f...

Clinical Follow-Up and Care for Those Impacted by the JP-5 Releases at Red Hill Community Report Dissemination Event

  • April 25, 2026
  • 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM (HST)
  • Meeting
  • Past

In-person only; due to logistical considerations, remote participation will not be offered. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will hold an in-person community forum to disc...

Assessing Radiation Exposure, Health Outcomes, and Mitigation Strategies for Flight Crewmembers (full committee meeting to discuss review)

  • April 24, 2026
  • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group meeting was to discuss the report.

Neurodegenerative Outcomes and Selected Military Exposures (Working Group Meeting 6)

  • April 23, 2026
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group will discuss methods used in the committee's literature searches and evaluation.

Neurodegenerative Outcomes and Selected Military Exposures (Working Group Meeting 5)

  • April 23, 2026
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Closed
  • Meeting
  • Past

This working group will discuss planning for the upcoming Veterans listening sessions in May.

Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews: Webinar #4

  • April 23, 2026
  • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT)
  • Webinar
  • Past

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Finding What Works in Health Care: Updating Standards for Systematic Reviews will hold a public webinar on April 23, 2026, fr...
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