U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH NIH News
NIH Office of the Director (OD) <http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/>
Office of Medical Applications of Research (OMAR) <http://prevention.nih.gov/omar/>
For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 11, 2010
CONTACT:
Lisa Ahramjian, 301-496-4999, <e-mail:AhramjianL@xxxxxxxxxx>
MEDIA ADVISORY
NIH TO HOLD PRESS TELEBRIEFING ON FEBRUARY 24 FOLLOWING CONSENSUS DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE ON LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
WHAT:
Infants of every racial and ethnic group worldwide produce lactase, an enzyme required to successfully digest
the lactose present in human milk or infant formulas. However, by the time many of the world’s children reach
the age of three to four years, expression of intestinal lactase ceases, often causing gas production,
bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Health care providers are concerned that individuals avoiding fortified
dairy products may not be meeting recommended intakes of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients, which may
have effects on bone health throughout the lifecycle. Questions remain as to the amount, if any, of lactose
that can be tolerated by lactose intolerant individuals and how best to assist them in meeting recommended
intakes.
The impartial, independent Consensus Development Conference panel will hold a press telebriefing to highlight
their findings and implications for the public following the NIH Consensus Development Conference: Lactose
Intolerance in Health, February 22-24, 2010. The panel’s statement will incorporate their assessment of the
available evidence from a systematic literature review, expert presentations, and audience input to inform
provider and patient decisions regarding lactose intolerance and health.
WHO:
Members of the Consensus Development Conference panel, to be announced Monday, February 22, 2010.
WHEN:
Press telebriefing: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 2:00 pm EST.
Reporters are welcome to attend the Consensus Development Conference in its entirety. Information is provided
below; conference registration and further details are available at http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/lactose.htm.
WHERE:
The press telebriefing will be conducted via conference call. To pre-register for the telebriefing and access
panel bios, images, and other related resources, visit <http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/lactosemedia.htm>. (Pre-registration is not required, but relevant material will be e-mailed to pre-registered media prior to the telebriefing.)
DIAL-IN NUMBER:
1-888-428-7458 (within the US) / 201-604-5177 (international)
Please call in 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start of the telebriefing. Media will be asked for name and outlet.
Interested parties who are not affiliated with a media outlet may listen in, but will not be permitted to ask
questions during the call.
CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
The NIH Consensus Development Conference on Lactose Intolerance and Health is free and open to the public.
Monday, February 22, 2010 – 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 – 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Live and archived webcast: <http://videocast.nih.gov>
All sessions will be held at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH main campus in Bethesda, Maryland.
Visitors to campus should plan to take Metro, as parking is limited. For information about security procedures,
please see <http://www.nih.gov/about/visitor>.
The conference is presented through the NIH Consensus Development Program. Information on the conference
process and additional resources are available at <http://consensus.nih.gov/2010/lactose.htm>.
The Office of the Director, the central office at NIH, is responsible for setting policy for NIH, which
includes 27 Institutes and Centers. This involves planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and
activities of all NIH components. The Office of the Director also includes program offices which are
responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH. Additional information is available at
<http://www.nih.gov/icd/od>.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and
Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal
agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates
the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its
programs, visit <www.nih.gov>.
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