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Summaries of Meetings
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May is High Blood Pressure Education month. According to a recent study, 90 percent
of middle-aged Americans are at risk of eventually developing hypertension. Fortunately,
high blood pressure is easily diagnosed and can be prevented by adopting certain lifestyle
measures - follow a low fat eating plan that includes lots of fruits and vegetables and limits
sodium, maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, and if you drink alcoholic beverages,
do so in moderation. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an effective first step in both
preventing and controlling high blood pressure.
Join us on May 7th to celebrate World Asthma Day and highlight May as Asthma and Allergy Month. The special U.S. theme, "Communities Working for Life and Breath," is a reminder that persistent and collective efforts at the national, state, and local levels are needed to reduce the burden of asthma. Hundreds of organizations are expected to commemorate World Asthma Day by working with their state and local colleagues to promote public awareness of the global burden of asthma and what can be done about it.
Following a guest appearance by Garfield Æ the cat, NHLBI Star Sleeper, the third annual Public Interest Organization (PIO) meeting started with a roundtable on "Communicating Your Message." Panelists included public relations specialist and PIO representative Ms. Nancy Loving, and science writer and editor Ms. Barbara Culliton. Ms. Mary Woolley, Research!America, highlighted the (disturbing) statistic that only 5 percent of people in the United States know that the NIH funds most of the medical research paid for by U.S. taxpayers. However, she also provided suggestions for ways organizations can educate their members and communities about the NIH and the work it supports. Following the panel discussion, participants talked with NHLBI investigators and staff about ways they can educate their constituents about clinical research and fund research studies. The afternoon period included a presentation on how genetic research is being translated into practice. Ms. Wendy Chaite, Lymphatic Research Foundation, shared her experience with starting up a PIO and provided pointers on how other small groups can leverage their resources to raise awareness and foster research. The meeting concluded after a question-and-answer period and closing remarks by Dr. Lenfant, but several of the PIO representatives stayed into the early evening, exchanging ideas and networking with one another.
Dr. Lenfant began the meeting by announcing that February is National Heart Month. In his report of the Director, Dr. Lenfant reviewed the President's 2003 budget for the Institute, noting that it is $2.8 billion, an increase of 8.4 percent from 2002. He also informed Council members that applications for the Loan Repayment Program would be presented in May.
Presentations were made on cell-based therapies. Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, NHLBI Division of Intramural Research, spoke about the Intramural Research Report on Stem Cell Plasticity; Dr. Charles Murry, University of Washington, discussed the role of stem cells in repair of damaged cardiac muscle; and Dr. Hal Broxmeyer, Indiana University School of Medicine, presented data on hematopoietic stem cell plasticity.
Council members described the Institute's 3rd annual Public Interest Organization (PIO) meeting, held on February 6, 2002, as demonstrating continued improvement over the previous ones. The sessions were interesting and relevant, and provided valuable information to the PIOs. It was suggested that next year, PIOs should have more opportunities to interact and share best practices. Representatives thanked Dr. Lenfant for the opportunity to allow professionals and PIOs to come together in a positive environment.
During the closed portion of the meeting, the Council concurred on the award of 249 grants for a total cost of $104,996,405.
The next National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council (NHLBAC) meeting is scheduled for 8:00 A.M. on May 9, 2002. It is open to the public and will be in NIH Building 31C, Conference Room 10.
The FYI from the NHLBI staff thanks Ms. Paula Polite, member of the NHLBAC and President of the Sarcoidosis Research Institute, for her efforts in preparing this summary. Full minutes of Council meetings are available.