Mission
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.
OCPL Components
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.