The National Academy of Medicine’s Vital Directions for Health and Health Care Initiative commissioned expert papers on 19 priority focus areas for U.S. health policy by more than 100 leading researchers, scientists, and policy makers from across the United States. The purpose of the initiative is to compile expert information and viewpoints to inform debate and decision making around new directions for health and health care in the United States.

The papers will be discussed at a Sept. 26 public symposium in Washington, D.C., which will inform the steering committee’s final publication, expected later this year.