Digestive Diseases News
Spring/Summer 2008

Research News

Work on Digestive Diseases Research Plan Continues

After more than 2 years of work, the National Commission on Digestive Diseases made significant progress toward completing a 10-year plan to guide digestive diseases research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during its meeting in May.

The 16-member Commission’s recommendations are the result of extensive advice and input from investigators and advocates in multiple areas of digestive diseases. Commission members, who were appointed by NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., include extramural researchers from academic institutions across the United States, medical professionals, and patient advocates. The members formed 12 working groups to develop the topic-specific chapters of the plan, calling on additional external experts to provide input.

Stephen P. James, M.D., director of the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), chairs the Commission. The NIDDK is the lead entity for coordinating digestive diseases research at the NIH.

The public had an opportunity to review and comment on the plan between February 8 and March 8, 2008. Comments from stakeholder organizations, the Commission’s ex-officio members, and concerned lay and professional representatives “were highly appreciative and complimentary,” said James. The comments enhanced the research plan by leading to the generation of a number of new research goals and objectives.

In the plan, the Commission identifies digestive diseases research opportunities that span basic, translational, and clinical science settings, including clinical trials in children, adults, and special populations such as high-risk groups or the disadvantaged. The Commission also identifies challenges to optimal implementation of the research plan and proposes cross-cutting, innovative scientific directions, technologies, and resources that would promote progress in digestive diseases research.

More than 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases annually at a price tag of nearly $100 billion in direct medical costs. In fiscal year 2007, 20 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices spent more than $1.2 billion to support digestive diseases research.

For more information about the Commission and the 10-year plan, go to www2.niddk.nih.gov/AboutNIDDK/CommitteesAndWorkingGroups/NCDD/default.htm.

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NIH Publication No. 08–4552
July 2008