Tag Archives: researchers

P2P Agenda Fatigue

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

HHS officials have made confusing statements about the goals of the P2P Workshop, but I have obtained documents through FOIA that give us insight into the structure of the meeting. Two versions of the Workshop draft agenda strongly suggest that … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Protocol for Disaster?

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

The study protocol for the systematic review of ME/CFS was posted by the Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality yesterday. It’s a recipe for disaster on its own, and within the broader context of the NIH P2P Workshop it’s even … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Research Roadmap

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

The Research Recruitment Working Group of the CFS Advisory Committee has been formulating recommendations that could potentially change the direction of ME/CFS research at NIH. Not much time has been spent on it at the last two meetings, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Congress: We Need An RFA

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

I am very happy to report that an effort is underway to secure Congressional support for a $7-10 million RFA for ME/CFS funding at NIH. And there is something YOU can do to help! Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

2013 NIH Spending on CFS Studies

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Update: This post was revised on October 29, 2016 to correct mathematical errors and update the included research. I have positive news to report: NIH spending on ME/CFS  in 2013 was actually higher than it was in 2012. Are you … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 27 Comments

Reading Tea Leaves

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

In a report issued on March 12, the IOM panel tasked with creating a new case definition for Gulf War Illness declined to do so. This is the first time the IOM was attempting to create a disease case definition, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Changing Tactics

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

For decades, ME/CFS research and clinical care has been plagued by disagreement over the basic classification of the illness. Is ME/CFS a physical disease, as many patients and researchers insist? Or is it a mental health disorder perpetuated by deconditioning, … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

More on P2P

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

Robert Miller posted a statement on Facebook last night revealing that he was one of the members of the P2P Working Group that met at NIH last week. I’ve posted his full comment below, with his permission. Bob is very … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Behind Closed Doors

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Jennie Spotila

There’s an important meeting happening at NIH today and tomorrow, but you probably know nothing about it. The secrecy of this meeting is intentional, and the implications of decisions made at the meeting are as far-reaching as the Institute of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

My Feedback to the Institute of Medicine

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Jennie Spotila

Today, I submitted the following letter to the Institute of Medicine with my feedback on the panel for the Diagnostic Criteria for ME/CFS. Seven other advocates signed the letter: Chris Heppner, Claudia Goodell, Joe Landson, Denise Lopez-Majano, Matina Nicholson, Darlene … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments