A Digital Forum: Challenges in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

words on pieces of paper, including: ideas, inspiration, collaboration, and innovation The goal of this digital Epidemiology Forum is to facilitate an active and highly engaged discussion of the future of epidemiology in general and as it relates to the study of cardiovascular diseases in particular. The conversation is not an empty exercise, but will influence future program directions at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Four key broad challenges have been identified in a commentary in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

  1. How can we avoid wasting resources on studies that provide little incremental knowledge?
  2. How can we assure that we direct as economically as possible our resources towards innovative science?
  3. How can we be nimble, responding quickly to new opportunities?
  4. How can we identify prospectively the most meritorious research questions?

Approximately every two weeks epidemiologists from both the NHLBI and from the research community will post short and provocative commentaries that will guide the discussion in the Forum. The key success, though, depends on the critical discussion that follows these commentaries. The NHLBI is looking for creative thinking on these broad questions. This Forum is different from some others and from many NHLBI working groups, in that we are not requesting specific hypotheses related to the subject matter of heart, lung, blood and sleep. Without abandoning what has successfully worked in the past, we are requesting how to conduct research in a changing world of research capabilities and funding.

Background

Recently, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) was challenged by the American Journal of Epidemiology to write a commentary on the future of epidemiologyexternal disclaimer, as envisioned by the NHLBI. As we discussed the many unsolved issues that will require innovative thinking, we concluded that the commentary should become a challenge to the epidemiology community to join in a conversation on our future. The commentary describes four challenges. We have created this digital Epidemiology Forumexternal disclaimer to provide a current, engaging, informative, and meaningful platform for discussion of the issues. The objective is to provide a foundation for new directions in epidemiology at the NHLBI. Our hope is that the conversation will influence future program directions. Please join us; where we go is up to you.

Contact

NHLBI media inquiries are handled by the Institute's press team. Please email nhlbi_news@nhlbi.nih.gov or call the NHLBI Communications Office at 301-496-4236 and ask for the press officer on duty.

For any other questions, please refer to the Contact the NHLBI Web page.

Comment Policy
- A Digital Forum: Challenges in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

To participate in the discussion, you will need to provide your email address and name. Your email will not be shared. The NHLBI, however, may contact you to follow-up on critical issues in the discussion.

This NHLBI digital forum adheres to the HHS Comment, Privacy, and Link Policies. As part of these policies, the NHLBI retains the right to determine which comments violate the NHLBI comment policy. The NHLBI reviews users� initial comments before they are posted and reserves the right to not post and/or remove comments not consistent with our comment policy. The NHLBI cannot respond to every comment, particularly those that deal with individual medical cases and issues.

The views expressed within posted comments do not necessarily reflect those of the NHLBI, NIH, HHS, or the federal government. The NHLBI reserves the right at all times to disclose any information as necessary to satisfy any law and regulation and to edit, refuse to post, or to remove any information or links, in whole or in part, that are in violation of these terms and conditions or of applicable law. For more information, see the NHLBI Privacy Policy.

To maintain a respectful dialogue, users agree to the following:

  • Stay focused. All viewpoints are welcome, but comments should remain relevant to the topics presented on the digital forum pages.
  • Be respectful. Personal attacks, profanity, and aggressive behavior are prohibited. Instigating arguments in a disrespectful way is also prohibited.
  • Tell the truth. Spreading misleading or false information is prohibited.
  • Do not post spam. Repeated posting of identical or very similar content in a counterproductive manner is prohibited. This includes posts aggressively promoting services or products.
  • Do not falsely present yourself as a representative, employee, or official of a governmental entity by accidental or deliberate means including misleading or confusing statements in your postings.
  • Refrain from adding or posting any copyrighted material to the site, without written permission of the copyright owner.

Please consider carefully what you choose to post about yourself. You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments. We recognize that the Web is a 24/7 medium, and your comments are welcome at any time. However, given the need to manage federal resources (i.e., your tax dollars), moderating comments should only be expected to occur during regular business hours.

Thank you for taking the time to review our comment policy. We encourage your participation in our discussion and look forward to an active exchange of ideas.

Medical Disclaimer
As a research Institute, the NHLBI does not provide referrals to doctors or counsel people on the prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of specific medical problems. Advice on treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician or other health professional who has examined the patient and is familiar with the patient's medical history.

Contributors
- A Digital Forum: Challenges in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

  • Diane Bild, Prevention and Population Sciences Program, NHLBI
  • Richard Fabsitz, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • Hanyu Ni, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • Jean Olson, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • George Papanicolaou, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • Paul Sorlie, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • Pothur Srinivas, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • Gina Wei, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI
  • Jacqueline Wright, Epidemiology Branch, NHLBI