Transforming Human Health

The past half-century has been an era of astonishing progress for biomedical science, health, and health care in the United States and worldwide. This volume, commissioned to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine (NAM; formerly the Institute of Medicine [IOM]), tells the story of that progress across five major fields: biomedical science and technology, diseases and conditions, public health, U.S. health care, and global health. Since the NAM was founded in 1970, the nation and the world have seen multitudes of remarkable "firsts"—including the dawn of targeted gene therapies, the near eradication of polio, revolutionary treatments for cancers and cardiovascular disease, and many more. NAM members were the architects of many of these breakthroughs, alongside countless dedicated scientists, clinicians, educators, and public health leaders worldwide. The milestones chronicled in this volume are a testament to their remarkable work, which has saved and improved innumerable lives.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Foreword
BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Neuroscience and Neurological Diseases: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain
Genomics and Gene Regulation: Deciphering the Instruction Books of Biology
Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation: Unraveling and Applying the Capacities of the Immune System
Metabolism and Bioenergetics: Linking Energy Use to Health
Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Imaging: Technologies to Understand, Treat, and Repair the Body
Scientific and Medical Ethics: Protecting People While Enhancing Autonomy and Justice
DISEASES AND CONDITIONS
Cardiovascular Disease: Confronting the Leading Cause of Death Worldwide
HIV and AIDS: Global Collaboration to Combat a Mysterious Pandemic
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Cancers: Tremendous Progress But Much Left to Learn
Mental Health: Increased Advocacy, Education, Understanding, and Treatment
Other Non-Communicable Diseases: Reducing the Global Burden
Infectious Diseases: Characterizing Pathogens and Preventing Spread
PUBLIC HEALTH
Environmental Health: A Shared Destiny with Humanity
Health Disparities and Health Equity: Righting Historic Wrongs and Building a More Equitable Future
Sexual and Reproductive Health: Equitable Care for Women and LGBTQIA Individuals
Substance and Alcohol Use Disorders: Toward Better Understanding and Treatments
Injury and Violence Prevention: Ensuring Protection in the Workplace and Daily Life
Oral, Eye, and Hearing Health: Assessment, Treatment, and Equity
Healthy Nutrition and Behavior: Building the Cornerstone for Health
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: Measuring Progress to Improve Public Health
U.S. HEALTH CARE
Coverage and Access: Expanding Benefits to More Americans
Patient Safety and Quality: Improving the Standard of Care for All
Health and Biomedical Research: Advancing Knowledge and Innovation to Improve Patient Outcomes
Health Care Workforce Evolution: Expanding and Diversifying the Health Care Team
Medical and Health Informatics: Applying Digital Technology to Transform Care, Health, and Learning
Patient and Consumer Leadership in Health Care: Empowering People and Their Loved Ones
GLOBAL HEALTH
U.S. Leadership in Global Health: Partnerships to Improve Life for People Everywhere
Global Development: Committing to Universal Progress in Health and Welfare
Health Security and Disease Surveillance: Responding to Global Health Threats
Human Rights: Justice as a Foundation for Health
Into the Future
Conclusion