Office of Communications and Public Liaison

The Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) is responsible for communicating information on NIH programs and activities to the public, the media, the scientific and medical communities, and public advocacy groups.

The Office of Communications and Public Liaison (OCPL) is located in NIH's Office of the Director and is the central office for communications at NIH. OCPL leads the effort to communicate information about NIH programs, issues and accomplishments to the public, the media, public interest groups, and the scientific and medical communities. OCPL manages the principal Web site for NIH and produces a variety of original communication products tailored for different external audiences. The office also sets communications policies for the NIH and coordinates communications and public liaison activities across the agency. OCPL is responsible for agency-wide internal communication efforts as well, producing both traditional and electronic publications for NIH employees. The office serves as the communications link between the NIH and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs in the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, we also coordinate how NIH implements the Freedom of Information Act. OCPL encourages broad national public participation in NIH activities through the NIH Director's Council of Public Representatives (COPR) and helps to resolve local community concerns through its management of the Office of Community Liaison (OCL).

OCPL also coordinates the NIH "Clear Communication: An NIH Health Literacy Initiative," an example of a trans-agency program that offers materials and resources for professionals to use in reaching individuals with literacy challenges or those with disabilities and disorders that serve to create obstacles to communication.  A key component of the program is the NIH Plain Language Program.

The OCPL provides services directly to the public through the following component offices, divisions, and programs:

Public Information Office (PIO)
The PIO communicates cross-cutting NIH programs, including those that involve medical research policy or span multiple disease categories. The PIO oversees the central news and media operations for NIH and produces and distributes a number of information items that together showcase NIH.  Communication products include print, radio and electronic materials; the NIH Web site; internal publications, such as the NIH Record; and Spanish-language programs, including information online at http://salud.nih.gov. Offices under the PIO include:

News Media Branch
This office serves as the central news contact for members of the electronic and print media.  Branch staff members prepare and issue news stories, releases, and features describing NIH programs. News products include audio clips of health messages; interviews with NIH scientists; ready-made segments for use by radio stations; and podcasts and vodcasts containing that latest news about NIH research.  The News Media Branch also manages press conferences for the NIH Director, staff scientists, and officials and keeps NIH leadership informed about media coverage of NIH research efforts.  The Branch also clears news releases and audiovisual productions with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, HHS prior to distribution.  Highlights of News Media Branch products and services include:

• NIH Radio is an audio service designed to provide radio stations and the public with the latest information about NIH research findings, highlights of press conferences, and health campaigns.  Included in this service are the news stories posted weekly on the NIH Radio News Service home page, as well as "NIH Health Matters"—a sixty-second audio feature aired on the HealthStar Radio Network, and nearly 1,000 radio stations nationwide, including overnight airing on WTOP. 



• "NIH Research Radio" is a bi-weekly podcast that can be listened to on computer or downloaded into individual portable MP3 players.



• "Pinn Point on Women's Health" is a series of podcasts featuring Dr. Vivian W. Pinn, Director of the Office of Research on Women's Health, and "Healthy Moments," twice-daily health information spots featuring Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.



• "i on NIH" is an Internet-based video program designed to educate and inform anyone interested in health-research news. For 30 minutes, once a month, "i on NIH" covers the excitement of advances and the important discoveries that come from medical research in a news-magazine style. Each program consists of narrated updates, feature reports and in-depth interviews available for viewing on computers, downloading onto individual portable media players, or for repackaging to be broadcast.



• NIH maintains a presence on the "You Tube" portal and offers Vodcasts and other videos at two locations: www.youtube.com/user/NIHOD and www.youtube.com/user/NIH4Health.

Editorial Operations Branch (EOB)
The EOB serves as the central resource for the ICs in developing publications, including the 350 to 400 or more printed items in development at NIH each year.   EOB handles Federal clearance and review procedures; serves as a liaison with Federal printing, binding, and copyright points-of-contact; and is the principal publications review office for NIH.  EOB also plays a key role in promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of NIH programs and activities by the public, Congress, media (print), scientists, and health professionals.  Among the items EOB produces are the following:

• The NIH Record was founded in 1949 and is a biweekly newsletter that covers issues of significance to NIH staff, contractors, and trainees. The NIH Record is published 25 times each year and circulated to more than 20,000 readers.  Subscribe to the NIH Record: listserv@list.nih.gov with the words "Subscribe NIHRECORD" in the message body.



• "NIH Info", the NIH's e-mail portal where the public can find information and direct questions to agency staff for response. 

Online Information Branch (OLIB)
The OLIB provides leadership for promoting effective Web practices across NIH.  OLIB also maintains and enhances the principal NIH Web site, the nation's leading source for authoritative, vetted health information, with millions of viewers a month.

• The NIH Web site offers direct access to health information, research funding opportunities, scientific resources, and the latest research news.  Key areas of the NIH Web site such as: News and Events, About NIH, Health Information, the NIH Director's page and Employee Information.



• The NIH News in Health is a monthly newsletter offering practical health information based on research conducted by NIH scientists and grantees around the country.



• NIH Research Matters is an e-Column offering a glimpse into research accomplishments by NIH and NIH-funded scientists. Brief, accessible stories describe research results and put them in perspective. Subscribe to NIH Research Matters. (This is also offered as an RSS subscription. For instructions on how to subscribe to an RSS feed to get automatic updates whenever new stories are posted, please visit the NIH RSS Feeds page at http://www.nih.gov/news/rss.htm.



• The Information for Employees database provides links to the logistics, facilities, and policy information that all NIH employees need for a safe and productive work experience.



• The NIH Calendar of Events serves to strengthen collaboration between NIH scientists, staff members, and contractors by providing a means for publicizing talks and presentations.



• The NIH Almanac, an annual publication that offers comprehensive, historical information about the NIH.

Special Projects Branch and Visitor Services
The NIH Special Projects Branch oversees visitor services and plans, organizes, and presents special events and functions. Events include building dedications and the annual NIH Research Festival.  The Visitor Information Center arranges overviews, tours, meetings, speakers and other special programs for national and international visitors.  The Visitor Information Center is located in the Natcher Conference Center, Building 45, on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.

Freedom of Information Office
This office is responsible for implementing the Freedom of Information Act at NIH.  The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is the Federal law that provides individuals with a right to access records in the possession of the Federal Government.  The NIH FOIA Office provides guidance and advice regarding FOIA to the NIH community and to FOIA requesters.  The NIH FOIA Office processes FOIA requests for records of the Office of the NIH Director and requests for records related to trans-NIH initiatives in addition to overseeing the processing of requests received by the NIH Institutes and Centers.  This Office also office maintains two Reading Rooms, an on-site Reading Room and an Electronic Reading Room.  Learn how to submit a FOIA request here: http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/foia/index.htm#requests.

Offices of Public Liaison and Council of Public Representatives (COPR)
The NIH is committed to fostering an environment of public participation. In support of that goal, the "Get Involved at NIH" Web site provides links to information about NIH's many outreach efforts, including nationwide NIH-sponsored events and activities; new publications and resources for the public; health campaigns; and various avenues for public feedback.

The Director's Council of Public Representatives (COPR) at http://copr.nih.gov/ is a Federal advisory committee made up of members of the public, who provide input to the ongoing work and future development of the NIH.  COPR members also advise the NIH Director on issues related to public participation in NIH activities, outreach efforts, and other matters of public interest.  Up to 21 members—patients, family members of patients, educators, health professionals, and communicators—represent a cross section of the country and serve an average of 4-year terms.

The NIH Offices of Public Liaison, each located in one of the 27 Institutes and in the OCPL, provide information about nationwide NIH-sponsored events and activities; new publications and resources for the public; health campaigns; and opportunities for public involvement. Subscribe to the OPL Public Bulletin: http://getinvolved.nih.gov/subscribe.asp.

Office of Community Liaison (OCL)
The Office of Community Liaison () ensures effective communication and collaboration on policy and programs involving the community surrounding the NIH campus.  OCL advises the NIH Director on policies, programs, and issues involving the NIH and its community and facilitates collaboration and cooperation between the agency and its community.  OCL staff members conduct and oversee studies, projects, and evaluations designed to address problems, questions, and issues of community concern and environmental impact.  The office also works to ensure appropriate community representation in the design, review, and implementation of policies and programs.