EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak Joins The Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Microbial Threats

EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak has been approved for membership to The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and its renowned Forum on Microbial Threats. Dr. Daszak's term of service runs through October 15, 2013; in December he is scheduled to speak at public workshop on emerging fungal pathogens.

• "I'm extremely honored to have been accepted to join the Forum, and look forward to working with the Institute to fulfill its mission and help those in government and the private sector to make informed health decisions, based on the latest scientific findings from EcoHealth Alliance and other leading organizations," said Dr. Daszak.

The IOM is the premier body that advises the U.S. government on medical issues, and the Forum on Microbial Threats is the organization's premier advisory activity. The Forum has been responsible for a number of very influential reports over the past couple of decades, including a 1993 report on emerging diseases, and a follow-up report on the same subject in 2003. In the past these reports have been used to change policy across the U.S. government to shed light on emerging diseases.

Each year more than 2,000 individuals, members, and nonmembers volunteer their time, knowledge, and expertise to advance the nation's health through the work of the IOM. Many of the studies that the IOM undertakes begin as specific mandates from Congress; still others are requested by federal agencies and independent organizations. While the IOM's expert, consensus committees are vital to its advisory role, the IOM also convenes a series of forums, roundtables, and standing committees, as well as other activities, to facilitate discussion, discovery, and critical, cross-disciplinary thinking.