By Lyle B. Dennis
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases has a diverse portfolio of interests in the broad arena that comprises public policy. Most often in these columns we discuss the latest actions (or lack of action) in the House or Senate, or what are the latest developments with regard to the National Institutes of Health and the many institutes there that are involved in liver-related research, or perhaps the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the many issues that surround reimbursement, quality, and related matters.
Increasingly, however, we are seeing liver disease and liver wellness as more than a medical issue, although that will always be AASLD’s first priority and greatest concern. It is clearly also a public health issue and needs to be addressed in that way as well. And, public health issues – particularly as they relate to disease prevention – are largely addressed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is based in Atlanta.
Two years ago, AASLD began the process of establishing a strong relationship with the CDC. Traveling to Atlanta, then-President, Dr. Art McCullough, and then-Public Policy Committee Chair, Dr. Karin Lindsay spent a full day in meetings with officials from virtually every office within the Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH), including with the director, Dr. John Ward. That led to the establishment of the first CDC Corner at The Liver Meeting.
The initial CDC Corner at the 2008 meeting was patterned after the NIH Corner, which has been part of the program for about five years. It was a very well attended and very well reviewed session. This year’s CDC Corner promises to be every bit as good and attendees at the Meeting are encouraged to attend.
As important as viral hepatitis is, we are now thinking far more broadly about the role of CDC in addressing liver disease and liver wellness. In the coming months, AASLD members can expect to see a broader initiative by the Association to involve CDC in more liver-related issues. Among the CDC units with which AASLD will be seeking greater involvement and interaction are:
• National Center for Environmental Health
• National Center for Health Marketing
• National Center for Health Statistics
• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
• National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention
Within these national centers are numerous divisions that address specific issues of concern, such as viral hepatitis, burden of disease, obesity, and so on. Expanding AASLD’s “footprint” with the federal government to include involvement with these important agencies is part of the challenge for the coming year.
This electronic newsletter is a bi-weekly publication of AASLD and replaces the former bi-monthly print newsletter and weekly e-news. Members are welcome to submit articles and may send suggestions to aharan@aasld.org.