<p>A new report from the Institute of Medicine recommends 100 health topics that need priority attention as the nation sets out to reform and improve the health care system. Constantine Gatsonis of Brown University served on the IOM’s national committee of experts that compiled the June 30 report, <em>Priorities For Comparative Effectiveness Research.</em></p>

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Constantine Gatsonis, director of the Center for Statistical Sciences at Brown University, is available for comment on a new report from the Institute of Medicine that recommends 100 health topics deserving of priority attention on the national level.

Gatsonis, professor of medical science, served on the Institute of Medicine’s national committee that compiled the report. The IOM document also zeroes in on actions and financial resources neeed to ensure that the effort, involving comparative effectiveness research, will be successful.

Comparative effectiveness research lookes at pluses and minuses of various health care options in order to determine ideal treatment plans in different settings and situations.

As part of the American recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Congress asked the IOM to convene the commitee, through a $1.1 billion spending plan designed to improve health care quality and efficiency through comparative effectiveness research.

More information on the report is available at www.nas.edu, where copies are also on sale.

To arrange an interview with Gatsonis, contact Mark Hollmer at (401) 863-1862 or by e-mail.