IDSA supports public health, research legislation

Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) announced last week their support of legislation prioritizing urgent public health and research priorities.

“We look forward to learning more about allocations to the Prevention and Public Health Fund and hope to see robust support for antimicrobial resistance responses, immunizations, and other public health interventions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” IDSA President Paul Auwaerter said. “We also look forward to seeing funding allocations provided in last years’ budget agreement to address the opioid epidemic. We urge Congress to direct some of these resources to address the infectious disease impacts from injection drug use.”

The IDSA also said increased funding in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill for the National Institutes of Health would be needed to drive advances in vaccines, diagnostics and treatments for infectious diseases and build the next generation of biomedical researchers.

“The bill sustains resources for the CDC Center for Global Health, reflecting an understanding that this is not the time to relinquish leadership against infectious diseases that threaten Americans at home and abroad,” Auwaerter said. “Increased funding provided in the bill for the CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention will be critical to confronting the rising rates of STDs while also expanding efforts against HIV and hepatitis C.”

The IDSA said that meeting public health needs through dedicated programs and research remains essential and is urging the full House Appropriations Committee to recognize priorities reflected in the bills.