Spotlight

President Obama Releases 2013 Budget Proposal

President Obama has remained steadfastly supportive of a strong federally backed scientific research enterprise. Even in austere times President Obama has strived to make scientific research a priority in his budgets. Yet, with the unveiling of his FY13 budget proposal on
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FY12 Spending Debate Comes to a Close

Congress completed, and the President signed into law, the FY12 appropriations bill. The $915 billion spending bill wraps up the remaining nine appropriations measures. The bill provides funding for programs at the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National
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H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu): Where We Stand

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Peter Palese
September 22, 2010

Dr. Peter Palese of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York briefs the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus on H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu): Where We Stand. For 40 years, Dr. Palese has researched influenza’s various strains. He and his colleagues recognize that, although the burden of seasonal influenza is significant, the threat of a pandemic like that of 1918, which caused 750,000 deaths in the U.S. alone, is most concerning. Watch Dr. Palese as he discusses how outbreaks of novel influenza virus strains are unpredictable and thus we must prepare to be able to respond to an emergency by: (1) strengthening the surveillance system; (2) improving vaccine design, manufacture and delivery, as well as the regulatory climate for influenza virus vaccines; (3) supporting research on novel antivirals; and (4) having a robust public health service in place.