NIH Liver Disease Research Action Plan Released
On January 5, 2005, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) released
the "Action Plan for Liver Disease Research", a comprehensive plan aimed at decreasing the burden of liver and biliary diseases in the U.S. This plan will play a vital role in focusing liver disease research for the next decade.
Liver disease is an important cause of sickness and death in the
U.S. - liver and biliary (gallbladder) disease, including liver
cancer, accounts for about 46,000 deaths each year and ranks 9th
in overall causes of death.
"The major focus of this Action Plan is to stimulate translation of basic research findings to practical and effective means of prevention and control of liver diseases, including such important conditions as hepatitis B and C..." said Jay Hoofnagle, MD, founding director of the Liver Disease Research Branch, of the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases). "Acute and chronic liver disease affects people of all ages, with the greatest burden among minority individuals and persons between the ages of 40 and 60."
A total of 214 specific goals are outlined for reducing the frequency and burden of liver disease, along with an implementation plan and specific steps needed to achieve each goal. Some specific goals for hepatitis B focus on the development of new therapies include a therapeutic vaccine, and defining the basis for antiviral resistance.
Representatives from 17 NIH institutes and approximately 250 experts in liver disease including researchers, physicians, patients, and non-profit members participated in the development of the Action Plan.
The Hepatitis B Foundation is proud to have been invited to participate in the initial planning meeting for the construction of an Action Plan for Liver Disease Research. Timothy Block, PhD, HBF President, brought his research expertise and strong commitment to viral hepatitis to this one-day workshop held on November 25, 2003, in Bethesda, MD.
During this meeting, Dr. Jay Hoofnagle told the planning committee that the "HBV Research Priorities", identified at the Hepatitis B Foundation's Princeton Workshop 2000, were very important in laying the groundwork for the Action Plan.
Click here to read the complete NIH Action Plan for Liver Disease.
Click here to read the Hepatitis B Foundation's HBV Research Priorities.
