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 ContentsFront MatterForewordBIOMEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYNeuroscience and Neurological Diseases: Unlocking the Mysteries of the BrainGenomics and Gene Regulation: Deciphering the Instruction Books of BiologyInfection, Immunity, and Inflammation: Unraveling and Applying the Capacities of the Immune SystemMetabolism and Bioenergetics: Linking Energy Use to HealthDiagnostics, Therapeutics, and Imaging: Technologies to Understand, Treat, and Repair the BodyScientific and Medical Ethics: Protecting People While Enhancing Autonomy and JusticeDISEASES AND CONDITIONSCardiovascular Disease: Confronting the Leading Cause of Death WorldwideHIV and AIDS: Global Collaboration to Combat a Mysterious PandemicDiagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Cancers: Tremendous Progress But Much Left to LearnMental Health: Increased Advocacy, Education, Understanding, and TreatmentOther Non-Communicable Diseases: Reducing the Global BurdenInfectious Diseases: Characterizing Pathogens and Preventing SpreadPUBLIC HEALTHEnvironmental Health: A Shared Destiny with HumanityHealth Disparities and Health Equity: Righting Historic Wrongs and Building a More Equitable FutureSexual and Reproductive Health: Equitable Care for Women and LGBTQIA IndividualsSubstance and Alcohol Use Disorders: Toward Better Understanding and TreatmentsInjury and Violence Prevention: Ensuring Protection in the Workplace and Daily LifeOral, Eye, and Hearing Health: Assessment, Treatment, and EquityHealthy Nutrition and Behavior: Building the Cornerstone for HealthHealth Promotion and Disease Prevention: Measuring Progress to Improve Public HealthU.S. HEALTH CARECoverage and Access: Expanding Benefits to More AmericansPatient Safety and Quality: Improving the Standard of Care for AllHealth and Biomedical Research: Advancing Knowledge and Innovation to Improve Patient OutcomesHealth Care Workforce Evolution: Expanding and Diversifying the Health Care TeamMedical and Health Informatics: Applying Digital Technology to Transform Care, Health, and LearningPatient and Consumer Leadership in Health Care: Empowering People and Their Loved OnesGLOBAL HEALTHU.S. Leadership in Global Health: Partnerships to Improve Life for People EverywhereGlobal Development: Committing to Universal Progress in Health and WelfareHealth Security and Disease Surveillance: Responding to Global Health ThreatsHuman Rights: Justice as a Foundation for HealthInto the FutureConclusion