Medical Education & Research
IDSA places a priority on supporting the quality education of infectious diseases specialists and on advancing scientific research in infectious diseases. IDSA advocates for appropriate funding and other policies to support these goals.
Policymakers and the public may learn more about IDSA's positions concerning medical education and research and may view other useful policy documents, resources and links below.
IDSA Statements
Putting Patients before Bureaucracy: IDSA's Support of the Sabir Act 11/09/2005
60 patient groups, medical health advocates, biotechnology and medical device organizations, IDSA and other healthcare organizations urged Congress to pass and make law the "Save America's Biotechnology and Innovative Research (SABIR) Act" (H.R. 2943 & S.1263).
Preventing HIV and other STIs: A Call for Science-Based Government Policies 03/17/2005
An HIVMA and IDSA Joint Policy Statement states that in the absence of preventative vaccines or cures for HIV and a number of other sexually transmitted infections (STI), it is imperative that federal and local governments support science-based information and programs to assist persons of all ages in protecting themselves from the acquisition of STIs, including HIV/AIDS.
Visa Problems Harming America's Scientific, Economic, and Security Interests 06/12/2004
IDSA expresses support for the federal government's efforts to establish new visa policies and procedures to bolster security; but believes that some of the new procedures and policies, along with a lack of sufficient resources, have made the visa issuance process inefficient, lengthy and opaque. IDSA is deeply concerned that this has led to a number of unintended consequences detrimental to science, higher education and the nation.
IDSA Letters
IDSA Suggests Changes to NIAID Clinical Trials Infrastructure 08/19/2010
In a letter to NIAID Director Fauci, IDSA provided its input on the future structure and objectives of NIAID’s clinical trials infrastructure.
IDSA Urges NIAID Clinical Trial Networks Expansion into New Areas 10/19/2009
NIAID officials are examining the possibility of expanding the Institute’s clinical trials networks to cover tuberculosis, hepatitis C, and influenza research. IDSA supports this proposal and has requested that resistant bacterial infections also be considered.
IDSA Proposes Clinical Trials to NIAID That Aim to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship 07/28/2009
IDSA proposes three, randomized, multi-centered controlled trials to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) that seek to optimize antimicrobial prescribing practices.
IDSA Urges NIAID to Create a Centralized Institutional Review Board (IRB) 06/30/2009
In a letter to NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, IDSA shared its concerns about the regulatory burdens that clinical researchers face in the U.S. IDSA suggests that a centralized IRB for multicenter infectious disease studies housed within NIAID would reduce redundancies in research oversight.
IDSA Supports Continued Investment in Comparative Effectiveness Research 06/25/2009
A coalition of medical societies sent a letter to U.S. Senators supporting its investment in Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER). The coalition urges the Senate to maintain its investment in CER so that physicians can continue to rely on evidence-based medicine to provide quality care to its patients.
IDSA Commends Introduction of the Public Health Workforce Development Act 06/05/2009
IDSA and other public health organizations sent a letter to Senator Richard Durbin and Representative Doris Matsui supporting new legislation to create incentives for recruitment and retention of public health professionals.
View all Letters
IDSA Comments on Federal Agencies' Actions
SHEA and IDSA Joint Comments in Response to Medicare's 2010 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule 06/30/2009
The Society joins SHEA in urging the Centeres fro Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to review its Hospital-Acquired Conditions payment policy before identifying additional conditions for non-payment. The comments also respond to CMS' proposal to add eight HAI quality measures to its Reporting Hospital Quality Data for Annual Payment Update (RHQDAPU).
IDSA Responds to Senate Finance Committee's Request for Comments on Health Care Delivery System Reform Options 05/14/2009
As health care reform moves forward, IDSA comments on several health care delivery system reform options being considered by Congress. The comment letter was sent to the Senate Finace Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.
IDSA Supports Reinstatement of the 20/220 Medical Student Loan Deferment Pathway 08/14/2008
The Society joins other medical specialty societies in urging the Department of Education to permanently reinstate the 20/220 medical student loan deferment pathway or to provide an equivalent funding mechanism for loan deferments.
Enhanced Public Access to NIH Research Information 11/15/2004
IDSA comments on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposal to enhance public access to NIH research information.
Institute of Medicine Reports
Enahncing the Vitality of the National Institutes of Health: Organizational Change to Meet New Challenges 07/29/2003
IOM Report making recommendations to achieve the optimal NIH organizational structure, given the context of 21st century biomedical research.
Microbial Threats to Health: Emergence, Detection, and Response 03/01/2003
IOM report that provides a comprehensive study on the policy and infrastructure changes necessary to detect, prevent and respond to microbial threats to health.
Considerations for Viral Disease Eradication: Lessons Learned and Future Strategies: Workshop Summary 08/01/2002
IOM summary that is the product of a two-day workshop hosted by the Forum on Emerging Infections to better understand the dynamics of diseases eradication and post-immunization policies and strategies for vaccine-preventable viral diseases.
Public Health Systems and Emerging Infections: Assessing the Capability of the Public and Private Sectors: Workshop Summary 12/01/2000
IOM summary is the product of a forum which provided structured opportunities for representatives from academia, industry, professioanl and interest groups and government to examine and discuss scientific and policy issues related to research, prevention, detection and the management of emerging infectious diseases.
Related Federal Websites
National Allergy and Infectious Diseases Advisory Council