IC Directors’ Meeting Highlights — December 18, 2014

Announcements

Dr. Collins welcomed everyone to the meeting, and provided an overview of the FY 2015 budget, including the approval of the new NCCAM name – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the Heads of International Research Organizations (HIROs) meeting, and the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) meeting. A brief update on the Ebola response also was provided.

Environmental Pediatric Research: Kathy Hudson

Dr. Hudson (DDSOP) provided an overview of environmental pediatric research as a follow-up to the National Children’s Study (NCS) report presented at the ACD meeting. The discussion focused on the language in the appropriation’s bill that referenced the NCS.

Addressing the Science of Health Disparities Research: Yvonne Maddox

Dr. Maddox (NIMHD) discussed the differences between health disparities research and minority health research, and provided the OMB standards for minority health and population sciences. Dr. Maddox also summarized eight identified domains of health determinants, and the importance of and potential approaches to the science of health disparities research. The discussion focused on research priorities and interest across the ICs.