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History
The NIH Director's Council of Public Representatives
(COPR) was established in 1998 by former NIH Director Harold Varmus,
M.D., following the release of a report by the Institute of Medicine,
an independent organization that frequently advises the U.S. Congress
on health issues. The report, "Scientific Opportunities and Public
Needs", urged the establishment of the COPR "to facilitate
interactions between NIH and the general public," among other recommendations.
The first 20 COPR Members were selected in 1999 through a nomination
process. More than 250 nominations were received during that first year.
Remaining candidates were asked to serve as "COPR Associates."
As COPR Associates, they were invited to comment on or participate in
initiatives of the various NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The
COPR Associates Program continues to play an important role in providing
public input and feedback to the NIH.
The process of selecting COPR Members has been slightly modified since
the Council was established. New members are chosen through a nomination
process to serve on the COPR for terms of up to four years.
The COPR has addressed a number of important issues as a group, including
human research protections and health disparities. COPR Members have
also taken part in important NIH initiatives and outreach activities.
Examples include:
- Speaking to community groups across the country about the NIH and
its programs.
- Planning NIH site visits to increase public awareness of the NIH
and to bring NIH resources to those who are interested.
- Serving on NIH work groups that address an array of topics, such
as:
- Newborn hearing screening
- Web site accessibility
- Human research protections
- Privacy regulations
- Health disparities
- Medical application to research
- Reduction of regulatory burdens
- Pediatric research initiative proposals
- Oversight of clinical gene transfer research
- A national public education campaign to prevent noise-induced
hearing loss.
- Participating in NIH budget retreats.
- Serving on review panels for directors of the NIH Institutes.
The COPR continues to evolve as it provides a critical public voice
to the ongoing work and future development of the NIH.
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