NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Releases New Five-Year Strategic Plan (2004-2009)

The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) has released
its five-year strategic plan entitled, “Promoting Quality
Science in Dietary Supplement Research, Education and
Communication: A Strategic Plan for the Office of Dietary
Supplements 2004-2009.”

“The first ODS strategic plan, developed in 1998, provided
a sound basis for program development and support of ODS
activities related to conduct of basic and clinical
research, development of education and communication
programs directed to all segments of the public and private
sectors with an interest in dietary supplements. But times
have changes and another leap forward is needed”, said Paul
Coates, Ph.D., ODS Director.

In 2003, ODS initiated a strategic planning process
involving several efforts to obtain input on future needs
and opportunities from the ODS constituency including the
public. The goals and initiatives presented in this plan
for 2004-2009, just as those developed in the original plan
in 1998, emphasize the important role of ODS in research on
disease prevention and health promotion, education, and
communication of scientific information about dietary
supplements.

The ODS Strategic Plan for 2004-2009 incorporates the
vision and thrust of the recently published HHS Strategic
Plan for 2004-2009 and the NIH Roadmap. ODS is committed
to furthering the guiding principles and goals developed by
its parent organizations. The new strategic plan includes
ongoing evaluation of existing ODS programs, needs for new
programs, and prioritization of resource allocation. This
effort, initiated in 2004, will include annual consultative
meetings with representatives of the ODS constituency and
formation of an ODS Steering Group.

“I commend the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements in looking
to the future and leading the way in the field of dietary
supplement research,” says NIH Director, Elias A. Zerhouni,
M.D.

“ODS has made significant progress in advancing the
recognition of the need for and the conduct of quality
scientific research on dietary supplements. In addition,
these efforts have increased markedly the availability of
objective evidence-based information useful to the public
in making decisions about efficacy and safety of dietary
supplements. The ODS strategic plan for 2004-2009 provides
a roadmap intended to catalyze research that will expand
the scientific knowledge base to improve health of the
public,” said Paul Coates, Ph.D, ODS Director.

The ODS Strategic Plan for 2004-2009 is available on the
ODS Web site (http://ods.od.nih.gov/strategicplan2004).
Copies of the printed version will be available later this
year. Check the Web site for information on how to receive
a copy (http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/).

The Office of Dietary Supplements was established at NIH in
November 1995 as a result of the Dietary Supplement and
Health Education Act passed by Congress in 1994. The
mission of ODS is to strengthen knowledge and understanding
of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific
information, stimulating and supporting research,
disseminating research results, and educating the public to
foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S.
population. For additional information about ODS, please
visit http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/.

The Office of the Director is a component of the National
Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.