For infants, a simple blood test can mean the difference between healthy development and serious problems. The IOM held a workshop in May to discuss issues such as privacy rights and research opportunities related to newborn blood samples.

Many infectious diseases that were once treated with a simple course of antibiotics are now resistant to most modern drugs. At a recent IOM workshop, participants discussed the evolution of “superbugs” and strategies to mitigate this global health pandemic.

The final IOM forum on the future of nursing examined education, including what, where, and how to teach to ensure that nurses are better prepared to meet the changing demands of the health care system. The forum will inform a final report expected in October.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is one of the largest in history. How will this disaster impact our health? The IOM held a recent workshop in New Orleans to explore what is known and what has yet to be learned about the oil spill's effects on human health.

On the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we not only mourn those lost but also reflect on how to protect ourselves in the future. In 2005, the IOM held a workshop to examine lessons learned and to propose ways to prepare for similar disasters.