New IOM Activities

Child Maltreatment Research, Policy and Practice for the Next Decade

6/18/2013

Building on Phase 1, an IOM committee will conduct a full study that will culminate in an updated version of the 1993 NRC publication entitled Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect. Similar to the 1993 report, the updated report resulting from this study will provide recommendations for allocating existing research funds and also suggest funding mechanisms and topic areas to which new resources could be allocated or enhanced resources could be redirected.

Independent Review and Assessment of the Activities of the NIH Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee

6/17/2013

This IOM study will evaluate if gene transfer research in general or in selected areas can still considered novel science that is worthy of the special protocol oversight undertaken by the RAC. The IOM committee's evaluation of the RAC will consider the current regulatory environment and policy context, including the roles of other entities overseeing gene transfer research as well as the scientific, safety, ethical and other concerns that would justify a special level of oversight. If the committee determines that RAC oversight is still warranted, it will recommend criteria to guide when the RAC should review this research. The committee’s evaluation should assist in informing future discussions of how and when emerging fields of investigation in the life sciences warrant special levels of oversight.

Planning Committee for a Workshop on Potential Health Hazards Associated with Consumption of Caffeine in Food and Dietary Supplements

6/14/2013

The IOM will organize a two-day public workshop to discuss potential health impacts stemming from the consumption of caffeine in dietary supplements and conventional foods, alone or in combination with other substances found in products commonly referred to as “energy products.” The workshop will focus on cardiovascular effects and will include discussion of important health hazards that may arise in at-risk populations consuming varied amounts of caffeine.

Strategies for Cost-Effective and Flexible Biodetection Systems that Ensure Timely and Accurate Information for Public Health Officials: A Workshop

6/14/2013

The IOM will host a public workshop that will explore alternative cost-effective systems that would meet requirements for BioWatch as an automated detection system for aerosolized agents (alternatives to Generation 3). Systems identified need to be capable of being deployed by the Department of Homeland Security by 2018 and enable day-to-day environmental surveillance that would be of value to the public health and medical community.

A Framework for Assessing the Health, Environmental, and Social Effects of the Food System

6/14/2013

An IOM committee will develop a framework for assessing the health, environmental, and social effects (positive and negative) associated with the ways in which food is grown, processed, distributed, and marketed within the U.S. food system. The framework is envisioned as a systematic approach, using a variety of methods, to compare different configurations and their respective effects. Configurations may be activities, practices, or other aspects of concern within or across the food system. The committee will describe examples to illustrate the potential utility of the framework, and identify additional needs for its further improvement.

Review of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program at the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences

6/14/2013

This study will explore the contributions of the CTSAs in accelerating the development of new therapeutics with consideration given to the role of the CTSA program in facilitating disease-specific research and pediatric research and in enhancing the integration of programs funded by the categorical NIH Institutes and Centers.

Roundtable on Health Literacy

6/11/2013

The mission of the Roundtable is to move forward the field of health literacy by translating research findings to practical strategies that can be implemented.

Improving the Health, Safety and Well-Being of Young Adults

6/10/2013

The IOM and the NRC will host a two-day public workshop that highlights research on the health, safety and well-being of young adults. The workshop will focus on developmental characteristics and attributs of young adults and its placement in the life course; how well young adults are functioning across relevant sectors such as health and mental health, education, labor, justice, military, and foster care; and how various sectors that intersect with young aduts influence their health and well-being.

Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events

6/7/2013

The Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Medical and Public Health Preparedness for Catastrophic Events serves to foster dialogue among stakeholders and provide ongoing opportunities to discuss and confront issues of mutual interest and concern. More specifically, the Forum: provides a catalyst for voluntary public/private collaboration on topics where there is synergy among potential partners; helps define the scope of the field and thus sets the stage for future policy action; brings ongoing attention and visibility to important preparedness issues; explores new approaches for resolving problem areas; and elevates the general understanding and visibility of medical and public health preparedness in the broader research, public policy, and other appropriate communities.

Forum on Drug Discovery, Development, and Translation

6/7/2013

The mission of the Forum is to improve the system of drug discovery, development, and the translation of research findings to healthcare delivery. The Forum will sponsor workshops for members and the public to discuss approaches to resolve key challenges identified by Forum members.

Roundtable on Value & Science-Driven Health Care

5/30/2013

The IOM Roundtable on Value & Science-Driven Health Care convenes leadership from key healthcare sectors to catalyze the collaborative work needed to drive improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of medical care, by transforming how evidence is developed and used in health care.

Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment

5/23/2013

Obesity prevention strategies for physical activity, physical education, and healthy eating among students in the school environment

Committee on Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking of Minors in the United States

5/22/2013

The IOM and the National Research Council will study commercial sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking of minors in the United States. This study will examine current approaches to addressing the problem at the local, state, and federal levels, and investigate the causes and consequences of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking of minors for both victims and offenders. The study committee will make recommendations that will inform future policy and practices within law enforcement, human services, and health care agencies.

Forum on Aging, Disability, and Independence

5/20/2013

The number of adults 65 years and older and individuals living with disabilities is expected to increase significantly over the next decades. As a result, the need to examine the issues and challenges associated with aging and disability continue to grow in importance for both individuals and society as a whole. The IOM/DBASSE Forum on Aging, Disability, and Independence provides a neutral venue for broad ranging discussions for coordination and integration of aging and disability stakeholders, particularly among public and private entities.

Cecil Awards

5/20/2013

The Cecil Awards recognize outstanding, sustained contributions of Institute of Medicine staff and are awarded in three categories: research, administration/program, and wildcard.

Committee on Ethics Principles and Guidelines for Health Standards for Long Duration and Exploration Spaceflights

5/20/2013

NASA is in the process of planning for exploration class missions of long duration and beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). An ad hoc committee of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) will conduct a study to examine policy and ethical issues relevant to crew health standards for these missions. The committee would consider the application of existing health standards and the potential development of a new set of standards for missions beyond LEO.

IOM Anniversary Fellowship in Pharmacy

5/15/2013

This new fellowship will enable talented, early career health policy or health science scholars to participate actively in the work of the IOM and to further their careers as future leaders in the field of pharmacy.

Gilbert S. Omenn Anniversary Fellowship

5/15/2013

The IOM has established the Institute of Medicine Anniversary Fellows Program, which provides early career health science scholars with the opportunity to experience and participate in evidence-based healthcare or public health studies that affect the nation’s health.

Priorities for a Public Health Research Agenda to Reduce the Threat of Firearm-Related Violence

5/15/2013

An IOM and DBASSE committee will develop for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a proposed public health research agenda to improve knowledge of the causes of gun violence, the interventions that prevent gun violence, and strategies to minimize the public health burden of gun violence.

Air Force Health Study (Ranch Hand) Research Assets - Announcement of availability for analysis

5/14/2013

In 1979, the US Congress directed that epidemiologic study be conducted to evaluate the frequency and nature of adverse health effects that might be related to exposure to “Agent Orange” and other military herbicide used during the Vietnam Conflict. The effort—formally called the Air Force Health Study (AFHS) and informally refered to as the Ranch Hand Study—involved Operation Ranch Hand veterans and a comparison group of Air Force personnel who served in southeast Asia but who were not involved in herbicide spraying operations.

After the Study concluded, the Congress directed that its research assets be transferred to the custodianship of the Institute of Medicine (IOM). A later Public Law (110-389) instructed the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to work with the IOM to make the AFHS assets available to scientific investigators for scientifically peer reviewed pilot and other research studies.

Standing Committee on Credentialing Research in Nursing

5/9/2013

The Institute of Medicine will convene a standing committee for the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The standing committee will discuss issues related to research on credentialing of nurses and organizations including short- and long-term strategic planning. The standing committee will maintain surveillance of the field, discuss planning and program development, and serve as a focal point for discussions and potential ad hoc studies requested by the sponsor and approved by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academies.

National Cancer Policy Forum

5/9/2013

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has established a National Cancer Policy Forum (the Forum), effective on May 1, 2005, to succeed the existing National Cancer Policy Board (1996-2005, the Board).

Committee on Childhood Obesity Prevention

5/9/2013

This committee, comprised of national leaders in various fields such as medicine, disease prevention, sociology, psychology, public policy, the private sector, and nutrition, will be responsible for the oversight and creation of separate ad-hoc committees focusing on the most important topics in childhood obesity prevention.

Pregnancy Weight Gain Guidelines: Dissemination Workshops and Related Activities

5/8/2013

The IOM and the National Research Council will develop a series of information resources to support guidance based on the recommendations of the report "Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines."

The Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health

5/7/2013

The Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health is awarded annually to individuals, groups, or organizations in order to recognize outstanding achievement in improving mental health services, research, or public policy.

Gustav O. Lienhard Award

5/7/2013

The Gustav O. Lienhard Award, a medal and $40,000, recognizes individuals for outstanding achievement in improving health care services in the United States.

Committee on Sports-Related Concussions in Youth

5/6/2013

An IOM committee will conduct a study on sports-related concussions in youth from elementary school through young adulthood, including military personnel and their dependents. The committee will review the available literature on concussions, including their causes, relationships to hits to the head or body during sports, and effectiveness of protective devices and equipment. The committee will also review concussion risk factors, screening and diagnosis, treatment and management, and long-term consequences.

Member Awards

5/3/2013

The IOM is privileged to recognize the extraordinary contributions of IOM members through several awards bestowed each year during the Annual Meeting. These awards include the Walsh McDermott Medal, the Adam Yarmolinsky Medal, and the David Rall Medal.

Forum on Microbial Threats

4/29/2013

The Forum on Microbial Threats, the premier convening activity of the IOM, provides a neutral venue for stakeholder discussion and scrutiny of critical issues on the research, surveillance, detection and response to the evolving disease threats of humans, plants, and animals.

Roundtable on Population Health Improvement

4/26/2013

The Roundtable brings together individuals and organizations that represent different sectors in a dialogue about what is needed to improve population health. The Roundtable will engage roundtable members and outside experts, practitioners and stakeholders on three core issues: (1) supporting fruitful interaction between primary care and public health, (2) strengthening governmental public health, and (3) exploring community action in transforming the conditions that influence the public’s health.