National Commission on Digestive Diseases - KEY ELEMENTS OF COMMISSION CHARTER
PURPOSE
The Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH) shall establish the National Commission on Digestive Diseases (Commission) to conduct an overview of the state-of-the-science in the field of digestive diseases research and to develop a long-range plan for digestive diseases research consistent with the research mission of the NIH. The overall plan will focus on the goal of improving the health of the nation through digestive diseases research and will include specific objectives and goals and a recommended time line for their implementation.
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FUNCTION
The Commission shall conduct a scientific overview of NIH funded research and research-related activities in digestive diseases and identify recent research advances and new and emerging opportunities for future research. The Commission shall develop a 10-year plan to address important goals for research in digestive diseases and make recommendations to the Director, NIH and to Congress.
The following will be included in the scope and objectives of the Commission: - Diseases of the Digestive System will be defined by ICD-10 codes K20-K93, A00-A09, C15-C26, P75-P78, and Q38-45. These codes generally define conditions affecting digestive organs exclusive of diseases of the oral cavity.
- The plan will include all areas of research defined by the NIH mission that are relevant to diseases of the digestive system, including research in fundamental aspects of biology of the digestive system, and disease oriented research including epidemiology, environmental factors, genetics, mechanisms, diagnosis, causes, treatments, behavioral, social and psychological aspects, health disparities, prevention and cure. The plan will include basic, translational and clinical research, including clinical trials, in children and adults and in special populations, such as high risk groups or the disadvantaged.
- The plan will address training and education of researchers in the fields relevant to digestive disease research.
- The plan will address programs for the collection, dissemination, and exchange of information and resources in health and disease relevant to digestive disease research.
- The plan will include specific objectives and goals and a recommended time line for their achievement. The plan will make recommendations that are not only ambitious but also feasible and realistic. The plan will seek to identify cross cutting, innovative research disciplines and technologies and opportunities for synergy in both basic and clinical research within the Institutes and Centers of NIH. The plan will be constructed to optimally utilize the currently existing organizational structure, policies, procedures and diverse missions of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH.
The Commission may hold conferences, public hearings or working groups and establish subcommittees as the Commission considers appropriate. At least one member of the Commission will serve on each working group.
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STRUCTURE
The Commission shall be composed of 16 members appointed by the Director, NIH and 18 nonvoting ex officio members. The ex officio members will be: the Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); the Director, Liver Disease Research Branch, NIDDK; the Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; the Director, National Cancer Institute; the Director, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; the Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse; the Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; the Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; the Director, National Institute of General Medical Sciences; the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; the Director, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; the Director, National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities; the Director, National Institute of Nursing Research; the Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chief Medical Director, Veterans Affairs; the Secretary, Department of Defense; the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration; and the Secretary, Department of Agriculture. Of the appointed members, who shall have a broad diversity of scientific and professional experience, 12 shall be knowledgeable about digestive diseases as members of the academic or medical research and practice communities involved in digestive diseases research, including individuals in allied health specialties relevant to digestive diseases research. Four members shall be appointed who have close personal or family experience with digestive diseases or experience with patient oriented organizations in digestive diseases.
The Chair shall be the Director, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, NIDDK. Each member shall be appointed for the life of the Commission. A majority of the appointed members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
As necessary, subcommittees may be established to perform functions within the Commission´s jurisdiction. The advice/recommendations of a subcommittee must be deliberated by the Commission. A subcommittee may not report directly to a Federal official unless there is statutory authority to do so. Subcommittee membership may be drawn in whole or in part from the Commission. All subcommittee members may vote on subcommittee actions and all subcommittee members count towards the quorum for a subcommittee meeting. Ad hoc consultants do not count towards the quorum and may not vote. Subcommittee members who are not members of the Commission may attend closed sessions of the Commission meeting but they may not count towards the quorum of the Commission and they cannot vote on Commission actions.
Management and support services shall be provided by the NIDDK.
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MEETINGS
The Commission shall meet as appropriate as determined by the Chair. Meetings shall be held at the call of the Chair, with advance approval of a Government official, who shall also approve the agenda. A Government official shall be present at all meetings. Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined by the Director, NIH. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public. Meetings shall be conducted, and records of the proceedings kept as required by applicable laws and Departmental policies.
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REPORTS
The Commission shall submit a report to the Director, NIH and Congress.
In the event a portion of a meeting is closed to the public, a report shall be prepared which shall contain, as a minimum, a list of members and their business addresses, the Commission´s functions, dates and places of meetings, and a summary of the Commission´s activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year. A copy of the report shall be provided to the Department Committee Management Officer.
Page last updated: November 25, 2008
