The Life Sciences Research Office, Inc. (LSRO) is organizing a conference Cholesterol: Where Science and Public Health Policy Intersect, on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. This conference will:

Ø       follow up on the LSRO report, The Scientific Evidence and Approach Taken to Establish Guidelines for Cholesterol Intake in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States;

Ø       explore the translation of science into public health policy and dietary advice about cholesterol; and 

Ø       analyze the consequences of public policy on public health.

The primary conference sponsor is the Egg Nutrition Center (ENC) and planning is under the direction of a scientific advisory committee. Members include:

Ø       Eric Hentges, Ph.D., Executive Director, International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) North America

Ø       Catherine Klein, Ph.D., RD, Director, Bionutrition Research Program, Children's National Medical Center

Ø       William Lands,  Ph.D., Former Director and Senior Scientific Advisor, Basic Research Program,  National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Ø       Donald McNamara,  Ph.D., Executive Director, Egg Nutrition Center

Ø       Sanford Miller,  Ph.D.,  Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland
       
Confirmed speakers and their topics include:

Ø       Rodney A. Hayward, M.D., Co-Director, VA HSR&D Center of Excellence, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and Director, RWJ Clinical Scholars Program and Professor of Medicine & Public Health, University of Michigan; Evidence for and against recommended LDL treatment goals

Ø       Jay Hirschman, M.P.H., C.N.S., Dean, FNS Nutrition Sciences and Director,  Special Nutrition Staff,  Office of Research,  Nutrition and Analysis, USDA Food and Nutrition Service; US cholesterol guidelines and government food programs

Ø       Sheila M. Innis,  Ph.D., Director, Nutrition Research Program, University of British Columbia Research Institute for Children & Women's Health; Analysis of current US and Canadian cholesterol recommendations

Ø       Helen H. Jensen, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Iowa State University Center for Agricultural & Rural Development; Effects of US cholesterol guidelines on choline intake

Ø       Sylvia Rowe,  President,  SR Strategy,  LLC; US consumer perception of the cholesterol guidelines and the effect on dietary choices

Ø       Nga L. Tran, Dr.PH, MPH, CIH, Senior Managing Scientist,  Exponent; Contribution of dietary cholesterol and eggs to CHD and CHD risk

A summary of the Workshop will be submitted for publication, authored by LSRO and co-authored by the speakers. The invited audience will include nutritionists, public health policy makers from various government agencies, representatives from the National Academy of Sciences, various associations of scientists and physicians, trade associations and commodity boards, industry, public health advocacy groups, and other interested parties.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact Amy Brownawell (301-634-7033; brownawella@LSRO.org) or Michael Falk (301-634-7030; falkm@LSRO.org) at your convenience.