Health And Medicine Division Of The National Academies
Health and medicine play a vital role in our lives. From treating diseases to preventing them, the field of health and medicine is constantly evolving. The Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies is a non-profit organization that provides independent and objective advice to policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. HMD conducts research, issues reports, and provides recommendations on a wide range of health-related topics to improve health outcomes and promote public health.
What is the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies?
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) is a private, non-profit organization that provides expert advice on science, engineering, and health. The National Academies was established by an act of Congress in 1863 to provide the government with independent and objective advice on scientific matters. Today, the National Academies is composed of three divisions: the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine).
The Health and Medicine Division (HMD) is a part of the National Academy of Medicine. HMD was established in 1970 to provide independent and objective advice on health and medicine to policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public. HMD conducts research, issues reports, and provides recommendations on a wide range of health-related topics to improve health outcomes and promote public health.
What Does the Health and Medicine Division Do?
The Health and Medicine Division conducts research, issues reports, and provides recommendations on a wide range of health-related topics. Some of the topics that HMD focuses on include:
- Public health
- Healthcare quality and access
- Chronic disease prevention and management
- Healthcare workforce
- Medical research and development
- Environmental health
- Global health
HMD brings together experts from various fields to conduct research and provide recommendations. These experts include healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and members of the public. HMD's reports and recommendations are based on the best available evidence and are intended to inform policy and practice.
One of the ways that HMD disseminates its work is through the publication of reports. HMD's reports are available to the public and cover a wide range of health-related topics. HMD's reports are used by policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to inform decision-making and improve health outcomes.
Examples of HMD's Work
Over the years, the Health and Medicine Division has conducted research and provided recommendations on a wide range of health-related topics. Some examples of HMD's work include:
The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health
The Future of Nursing report, which was published in 2010, provided recommendations for improving the education and training of nurses to meet the changing demands of healthcare. The report recommended that nurses be given a greater role in healthcare delivery and that they be educated to practice to the full extent of their training and education.
Dying in America: Improving Quality and Honoring Individual Preferences Near the End of Life
The Dying in America report, which was published in 2014, provided recommendations for improving end-of-life care in the United States. The report recommended that healthcare professionals receive training in palliative and hospice care and that patients and their families be provided with more information about end-of-life care options.
Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Way Forward
The Preventing Cognitive Decline and Dementia report, which was published in 2017, provided recommendations for preventing cognitive decline and dementia. The report recommended that individuals engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, and engage in cognitive training to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Conclusion
The Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies plays an important role in improving health outcomes and promoting public health. Through its research, reports, and recommendations, HMD provides policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public with independent and objective advice on a wide range of health-related topics. HMD's work is based on the best available evidence and is intended to inform policy and practice. By working to improve the health of individuals and communities, HMD is helping to create a healthier, more equitable society.