Activity

Activity Description

The IOM Standing Committee on Aerospace Medicine and the Medicine of Extreme Environments coordinates with NASA’s Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer to become informed of existing conditions and emerging issues related to medical care in space and define prospective activities (such as studies or analysis of medical needs and/or approaches to addressing those needs) to be conducted at the Institute of Medicine. The committee serves as a focal point for consideration of issues relating to the practice of medicine during space travel. The committee considers relevant scientific, technical, and policy issues including: the development of optimal aerospace medicine healthcare as an evolving multidisciplinary and international enterprise; health maintenance and care policies related to aerospace medicine; clinical research requirements and clinical strategies; and other relevant issues. Ad hoc committees are established to conduct studies as needed and as approved by the Institute of Medicine and the National Academies.

Standing committee discussions have led to the formation of a number of ad hoc committees, which have investigated topics related to aerospace medicine and authored the reports listed on the right side of your screen under "Related Reports."