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...read more...