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Summaries of Meetings
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On February 9, 2000, representatives from nearly 50 interest groups assembled for the first Public Interest Organization Meeting of the NHLBI. The resulting enthusiastic discussions and thoughtful, constructive comments affirmed the NHLBI's commitment to enhance public involvement and have reinforced the NHLBI's ongoing effort to develop similar events and other forums for constituent input.
The diversity of the NHLBI's constituency was apparent at this meeting. Not only were the large, nationally recognized organizations represented, but smaller, "grass-roots" organizations also were actively involved in bringing a broader perspective to the table. The approximately 100 participants engaged in a dynamic interaction, exchanging views and ideas and learning from each other's experiences.
A full summary of the meeting and the participants suggestions that are under consideration can be viewed at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/public/liaison.htm.
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The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council met on February 10, 2000, in Bethesda, MD. Sixteen Council members, two ex-officio members, and the Chair, Dr. Claude Lenfant, were present. Full minutes of this and previous Council meetings can be viewed at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/meetings/nhlbac/index.htm.
The Council reviewed the NHLBI budget for FY 2001 that President Clinton recently submitted to Congress. Although the proposal includes a 5.4% increase, or $100.4 million, this increase is far less than the 15% increases received in FY 1999 and 2000. However, the budget legislation is not completed and the figures presented are tentative.
The Council spent considerable time discussing the NHLBI's first Public Interest Organizations' Session, held February 9, 2000. The organizations' representatives were interested in, among other things, "how to make things happen," models of action, and improved communication with NHLBI. They are committed citizens active in volunteerism with a wide range of sophistication and knowledge of their particular disease who were "tremendously helpful." The message conveyed was "if the quality of science is good, it will get funded." A report of the meeting and recommendations of the group can be found at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/public/liaison.htm.
Dr Lenfant gave an update of the NHLBI strategic plan which is a rolling document providing a 5 year plan for the Institute. Details of the Strategic Plan can be found at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/fromdir/plan.htm.
The following proposed initiatives (Requests for Applications) that the NHLBI is considering supporting were presented to the Council for its review: Genetic Aspects of TB in the Lung; The Framingham Study-renewal; Ancillary Studies in Heart, Lung, and Blood Disease Trials; and Chelation Therapy of Angina Pectoris. All but the last received the Council's enthusiastic support. The Council concurred on the award of 246 grants (both from previous NHLBI announcements and investigator initiated proposals) for a total cost of $97,818,826.
Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, Acting Director of NIH's 25 institutes and centers, addressed the Council at this meeting. She said that President Clinton's proposed budget for the entire NIH is for $18.8 billion.
As a separate topic, Dr. Kirschstein expressed concern about the widening health disparities between majority and minority groups. She noted, however, that each Institute is developing and implementing a strategic plan on health disparities to address this problem by providing the best, most creative scientific research possible.
The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for 8:30 AM on May 18, 2000. This meeting is open to the public and will be held at NIH in Building 31C, Conference Room 10.
The FYI from the NHLBI staff wishes to thank Mrs. Judith Simpson, member of the NHLBAC and Vice President, Pulmonary Hypertension Association, for her efforts in preparing this article.
Modified 5/3/00
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The theme of World Asthma Day is Let Every Person Breathe, emphasizing the need for the world's asthma sufferers to have access to timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and education to help control their condition. The NHLBI's National Asthma Education and Prevention Program is coordinating activities in the United States.
Program covers the latest information in clinical, basic, and behavioral sciences regarding respiratory disease and public health education.
Physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals and paraprofessionals with an interest in the mechanisms or management of hypertension will profit from attending this meeting.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council Meeting is open to the public. For additional information, go to the NHLBAC's Web page.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Intitute's Sickle Cell Disease Advisory Committee Meetings are open to the public. For additional information, contact Dr. Charles Peterson, (301) 435 - 0050 or go to the Sickle Cell Disease Advisory Committee's Web page.
The conference is focused on improving outcomes through comprehensive care of patients with hypertension.
ISEH 2000 is designed to present the latest basic and translational research findings related to experimental hematology.
Modified 9/25/01
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