Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 9

June 12, 2025

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On June 12, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) convened the ninth meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

Since the Forum’s creation in 2022, participants have shared that the group provides an important opportunity to discuss threats to the safety and well-being of health professionals, share relevant resources, and identify partners for independent initiatives (e.g., article, events) that address violence against health professionals in the U.S. and internationally. The goal of June meeting was to devise new strategies for advancing the aims of the Forum amidst intensifying attacks on health professionals around the world. The discussion was informed by the results of a Forum participant questionnaire that helped identify current barriers and opportunities for this work and concrete actions participants may be able to take to support health professionals, both domestically and internationally, in need of assistance.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 8

March 3, 2025

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On March 3, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) convened the eighth meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

During the meeting, attendees identified and shared through discussion tools and resources in support of health professionals under threat for their work to address racism in health and advance the work of health equity. The American Psychological Association (APA) also provided a short presentation on psychological safety and well-being of health professionals working in this space. This meeting served as a special follow-on to a November 2024 meeting, during which colleagues shared their lived experiences of threats and harassment stemming from their work in this area and the mental toll these attacks have had on their health.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 7

November 25, 2024

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On November 25, 2024, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) will convene its seventh meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

The main topic for discussion at this meeting will be attacks on healthcare professionals working to address racism in health and advance the work of health equity. Several speakers will share their lived experiences of receiving threats and harassment stemming from their work in this area. Special attention will be paid to the mental health impact of these attacks on colleagues and potential ways in which the health community can support colleagues under threat for this work. The agenda will also allow participants of the Forum to share information concerning recent and upcoming activities related to the focus of the Forum.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 6

May 15, 2024

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On May 15, 2024, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) convened the sixth meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

Agenda items for this meeting included updates on member activities concerning the following topics:

Workplace Violence in the United States
Protection of Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA)
Protection of Health Professionals in Conflict Situations

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 5

October 19, 2023

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On October 19, 2023, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) convened the fifth meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

Agenda items for this meeting included:

Updates on Forum member activities and priority issues of concern
A brief presentation from the Coalition for Trust in Health and Science to learn more about their work, followed by a discussion on how members of the Forum may be able to work together with the Coalition on shared interests
An overview of the 2022 Safeguarding Health in Conflict Report, along with discussion of recent country situations in which health professionals and facilities are under grave threat

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 4

April 3, 2023

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On April 3, 2023, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (National Academies) convened the fourth meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

The main agenda for this meeting was to receive feedback from members of the Forum on possible National Academies’ activities to address attacks against health professionals. The agenda also included an informal discussion concerning emerging threats to healthcare providers, with brief remarks from participants of the Forum.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 3

September 22, 2022

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On September 22, 2022, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened the third meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

The agenda for this meeting included an informal discussion concerning the Biden-Harris Administration’s Global Health Worker Initiative (HWI), which includes among its areas of focus investment in the protection of health workers globally. The meeting also included an update on broader activities of the U.S. National Academies related to the protection of health workers.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 2

April 13, 2022

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On April 13, 2022, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened the second meeting of leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to address the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals.

The agenda for this meeting included an informal group discussion on the role of the collaborative forum, including consideration of the goals of the forum, forms of communication, and frequency of meetings among participants. It also included discussion on urgent concerns, including violence against health professionals and facilities in Ukraine and attacks on health professionals working to address issues of racism and health inequities, and gave participants space to brainstorm initial and practical initiatives to address the goals of the forum.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

Meeting Closed

Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals: Meeting 1

January 26, 2022

12:00 AM - 12:00 AM (ET)

Past

About

On January 26, 2022, the Committee on Human Rights (CHR) of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine convened leaders of healthcare and scientific associations to discuss the problem of broad-based assaults on health professionals, ranging from threats, harassment, and silencing of health workers responding to the pandemic to physical attacks in conflict zones, and the role of the scientific and medical communities in responding to these attacks.

The agenda for this meeting was to provide an opportunity for open discussion of what organizations are doing to address attacks on health professionals; to identify any impediments to action and ways of tackling such impediments; and to identify possible opportunities for collaboration.

Participants expressed a broad interest in creating a collaborative forum to engage in information-sharing and to explore possibilities for individual and joint action. The CHR agreed to serve as a convener for such a forum and to organize future meetings.

Contact

Tracy Sahay

tsahay@nas.edu

Disclaimer

It is essential to the National Academies mission of providing evidence-based advice that participants in any of our meetings or events avoid political or partisan statements or commentary and maintain a culture of mutual respect. The statements and presentations during our meetings or events are solely those of the individual participants and do not necessarily represent the views of other participants or the National Academy of Sciences, which is a non-partisan, tax exempt organization that includes under its Charter the National Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, and that operates the National Research Council.

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Forum to Address Attacks on Health Professionals