New IOM News and Announcements

2011 Annual Report

5/22/2012

2011 Annual Report

Report Release

5/17/2012

Report Release

2011 Annual Report

5/9/2012

Annual Report

IOM Report Identifies Key Obesity-Prevention Strategies to Scale Back 'Weight of the Nation'

5/8/2012

America's progress in arresting its obesity epidemic has been too slow, and the condition continues to erode productivity and cause millions to suffer from potentially debilitating and deadly chronic illnesses, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

Nominations for the 2012 Lienhard Award and Sarnat Prize

5/3/2012

The Institute of Medicine is accepting nominations for The Gustav O. Lienhard Award and The Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health through Monday, May 7.

What You're Reading - April 2012

5/1/2012

A list of the most viewed IOM reports for the month of April, 2012.

Creation of a Central Management Plan for Every New Drug Needed to Strengthen FDA's Oversight of Approved Drugs' Safety

5/1/2012

Although the approval of a new drug is based on evidence that its benefits outweigh its risks, the full range of a medication's effects may not become apparent until a product has been used by a larger, more diverse population over an extended period of time. Problems associated with the anti-diabetes drug Avandia, pain reliever Vioxx, and cholesterol-reducing drug Crestor illustrate the challenges and underscore the need for a more systematic and transparent process to collect, assess, and act on data about a medication's benefit-risk profile throughout its entire "life cycle" from approval until it is no longer marketed, says a new report by the Institute of Medicine.

Speeding Progress Against Obesity Crisis: IOM Report Release May 8

4/30/2012

The surge in America’s obesity rates demands faster progress to stop and reverse these trends. Accelerating Progress on Obesity Prevention: Solving the Weight of the Nation, the Institute of Medicine’s latest report on combating the obesity epidemic, focuses on strategies that various sectors of society can take to support individuals' and families' efforts to achieve healthy diets and physical activity levels.

Studying the Safety of Approved Drugs: IOM Report Releases May 1

4/25/2012

Although drugs undergo safety tests prior to approval, sometimes harmful effects do not become apparent until a product has been on the market for a while and has been used by a larger, more diverse population.

IOM Executive Officer Co-Authors Book on Fighting the Forces That Make Americans Obese

4/24/2012

A new book co-authored by Judith Salerno, Leonard D. Schaeffer Executive Officer of the Institute of Medicine, examines the forces driving the obesity epidemic in the U.S. and offers practical tips to those who want to make healthier choices in spite of these pressures.

Obesity Crisis Takes National Spotlight as IOM and Partners Issue Films, Book, and New Report

4/23/2012

Starting the first week of May, a series of new materials and activities by the Institute of Medicine, HBO, and other organizations aim to galvanize national attention and spur action on America's obesity crisis. Key elements of this national initiative include a documentary film series on obesity's causes and consequences, a companion book to the series, and the release of a new IOM report that identifies best strategies to speed progress against the epidemic.

IOM Partners in 'The Weight of the Nation,' A New National Initiative to Confront Obesity Crisis

4/17/2012

As obesity continues to diminish the quality of people's lives and raise health care costs, the Institute of Medicine is pleased to join HBO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente in developing "The Weight of the Nation," a new national campaign tackling the obesity crisis.

Reallocation of Health Dollars and New Sources of Funds Needed to Strengthen Nation's Public Health Capacity

4/10/2012

To improve America's lackluster performance on health outcomes compared with its peer nations and to maintain its international competitiveness, the United States needs to invest more in its chronically underfunded public health system and spend public health dollars more efficiently, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

Health Care Spending Infographic

4/5/2012

The Cost of Health Care Infographic

Funding Public Health: IOM Report Release April 10

4/5/2012

For the Public's Health: Investing in a Healthier Future, a new report by the Institute of Medicine, assesses the impact of fluctuations in public health funding and recommends innovative policies and mechanisms to ensure state and local public health departments receive adequate funds to meet the nation's health goals.

U.S. Agencies Should Take Steps to Boost Developing Nations' Regulatory Capacity to Ensure That Imported Foods and Drugs Are Safe

4/4/2012

Many low- and middle-income nations do not have technologically advanced regulatory systems, which limits their oversight of food and drug safety, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

IOM Report on Safety of Imported Foods, Drugs to Be Discussed at Public Briefing

4/4/2012

Members of the Institute of Medicine committee that wrote the new report Ensuring Safe Foods and Medical Products Through Stronger Regulatory Systems Abroad will discuss their report with interested stakeholders and reporters at a one-hour public briefing. The briefing will begin at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, April 4, in the First Amendment Lounge of the National Press Club, 529 14th St., N.W., Washington, D.C.

What You're Reading - March 2012

4/2/2012

A list of the most viewed IOM reports for the month of March, 2012.

IOM Report Identifies Public Health Actions for Improving the Lives of Those With Epilepsy

3/30/2012

An estimated 2.2 million people in the United States live with epilepsy, a complex brain disorder characterized by sudden and often unpredictable seizures. The highest rate of onset occurs in children and older adults, and it affects people of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, yet this common disorder is widely misunderstood. Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of disorders with seizures that vary in type, cause, severity, and frequency. Many people do not know the causes of epilepsy or what measures to take if they witness a seizure. A new report from the Institute of Medicine highlights numerous gaps in the knowledge and management of epilepsy and recommends actions for improving the lives of those with epilepsy and their families and promoting better understanding of the disorder.

Federal Agencies Should Take Advantage of Opportunities To Explore Integration of Primary Care and Public Health

3/29/2012

The traditional separation between primary health care providers and public health professionals is impeding greater success in meeting their shared goal of ensuring the health of populations, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

Peace Corps Announced a New Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) Funded Through PEPFAR

3/27/2012

On March 13, 2012, the Peace Corps announced a new Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP), which will deploy physicians and nurses to serve as medical and nursing faculty members in developing countries.

2011 Annual Report

3/26/2012

2011 Annual Report

Walmart announces "Great for You" front-of-package symbol

3/23/2012

Walmart rolled out a new icon on February 7, 2012, to help its customers identify healthier foods. The "Great for You" symbol will appear on packaging for foods that meet nutritional criteria established by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the FDA, the USDA, and the IOM, beginning with Walmart’s Great Value, Marketside food items, and fruits and vegetables.

IOM Report Recommends Evaluation and Validation Process to Prevent Problems Associated With Turning 'Omics' Research Into Clinical Tests

3/23/2012

Genomics, proteomics, and other branches of molecular bioscience offer the prospect of greater precision in medical care, but some clinical tests based on "omics" research have proved invalid and highlighted the challenges of dealing with complex data. To enhance the translation of omics-based discoveries to clinical use, a new report by the Institute of Medicine recommends a detailed process to evaluate whether the data and computational steps underlying such tests are sound and the tests are ready to be used in clinical trials. The proposed process defines responsibilities and best practices for the investigators, research institutions, funders, regulators, and journals involved in development and dissemination of clinical omics-based technologies.

Public Health Priorities for Those Living With Epilepsy: IOM Report Release March 30

3/22/2012

An estimated 2.2 million people in the United States live with epilepsy, a brain disorder characterized by sudden and unpredictable seizures. Epilepsy Across the Spectrum: Promoting Health and Understanding, a new report from the Institute of Medicine, proposes public health initiatives that aim to improve the lives of people with epilepsy and their families and promote public understanding of the disorder. The report will be released at a one-hour public briefing starting at 10 a.m. EDT Friday, March 30, in Room 100 of the National Academies’ Keck Center, 500 Fifth St., N.W., Washington, D.C.

IOM’s Roundtable on Value & Science-Driven Health Care to Convene Workshop on Better Care, Lower Costs, and Better Health

3/21/2012

The IOM’s Roundtable on Value & Science-Driven Health Care and Blue Shield of California Foundation today announced a joint workshop on measuring progress toward better care, lower costs, and better health for the nation’s population. This workshop will identify challenges, options, and approaches to promoting and aligning existing national, regional, and institutional measurement systems in order to assess these critical facets of health care in the United States.

IOM Report Provides Framework and Tools to Deliver Health Care Effectively During Catastrophic Disasters

3/21/2012

While most areas of the country have systems in place to handle conventional disasters, such as a plane crash or building collapse, the infrastructure and systems to deliver health care during or following catastrophic situations, such as a widespread disease outbreak or a devastating earthquake, are rudimentary at best, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine. The report provides a resource manual to guide health care organizations, public health agencies, first responder teams, and government agencies in delivering care as effectively as possible to the greatest number of people when such disasters occur.

Integrating Primary Care and Public Health: IOM Report Release March 28

3/21/2012

Despite their shared goal of promoting people’s health, primary care providers and public health professionals have largely worked separately, which can result in missed opportunities to take advantage of the strengths of both fields. Primary Care and Public Health: Exploring Integration to Improve Population Health, a new report from the Institute of Medicine, examines what it will take to catalyze greater coordination and collaboration between the fields and specific ways that two key federal agencies - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health Resources and Services Administration - can foster this integration.

IOM Report on Improving “Omics-Based” Test Development Releases March 23

3/21/2012

Genomics, proteomics, and other branches of molecular bioscience offer the possibility of greater precision in medical care by tailoring therapies to patients' genetic or molecular profiles. But some clinical tests based on "omics" research, including tests developed by researchers at Duke University to select chemotherapy for cancer patients, have proved invalid. Evolution of Translational Omics: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward, a new report from the Institute of Medicine, recommends steps to help avoid future problems associated with moving omics-based discoveries from the lab to clinical settings.

IOM President’s Shattuck Lecture published in the New England Journal of Medicine

3/15/2012

In his Shattuck Lecture, published in the March 15, 2012, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, IOM President Harvey Fineberg outlines what it will take to achieve a successful and sustainable health system in the United States.