With the main function of the JPC-SE being to inform and influence policy, since its inception four position statements have been produced. We provide access to these statements on the site to enhance their dissemination.

In addition to these position statements, the work of the JPC-SE has, to date, led to the production of three peer-reviewed publications (found under JPC-SE Publications) as well as multiple symposia (available soon, under JPC-SE Presentations).

Note: To rapidly get to the portion of this page related to the following issues about which the JPC-SE has issued Position Statements or like documents, click on the relevant tab. Else, simply scroll down until you get to that section.

Asbestos
Regulations Concerning Human Subject Research Participation
HIPAA
Peer Review
Future Ideas

Asbestos

Background: Despite grave warnings, put forward by a variety of cancer, public health, and regulatory agencies, regarding the health hazards of all types of asbestos, controversy continues to be fomented by powerful moneyed interests. This has permitted some countries to promote continued use of asbestos. The JPC-SE therefore undertook the development of a Position Statement that, for the first time, puts forward, from an epidemiologic perspective, the clear evidence confirming that all forms of asbestos should be banned.

NEW ENDORSEMENTS

ORGANIZATIONS wishing to add their endorsement of the Position Statement on Asbestos, please send an e-mail to JPCSE.asbestos@gmail.com, asking to be added to the list of endorsing organizations. Please provide: the name of the organization, its address (including city, state or province, and country), a statement to the effect that this endorsement was officially approved with date of approval and the name and email of a contact person.

INDIVIDUALS wishing to endorse the Position Statement on Asbestos, please send an e-mail to JPCSE.asbestos@gmail.com, asking to be added to the list of individual endorsers. Please provide your name, qualifications, institutional affiliation, city, state or province, and country.

JPC-SE Direct Contributions:

Click here to open an updated reference list (as of May 10, 2013) with regard to the Position Statement on Asbestos.

Documentation in Other Languages

Please note: Although every precaution is taken to ensure accuracy in our translations, users are advised that only the original English versions can be deemed authoritative. The reader of the Executive Summary is strongly encouraged to access on our website (see above) the full Position Statement on Asbestos for complete details and our extensive list of references; most of the references are easily accessible by Internet.

Related Documents and Information:

Media Coverage:

Media coverage of the JPC-SE Position Statement on Asbestos has been extensive. Online reports were published (among others) in Canadian newspapers The Gazette, Le Devoir and La Presse. The Huffington Post and The Asian Journal also reported on the issue.

Professor Colin L. Soskolne, Ph.D., was heavily quoted in an interview with Radio Canada International. Report can be accessed here (audio link at the end of the article).

Also of note is an interview that Dr. Soskolne gave to University Affairs. It can be accessed here (a French version is also available here).

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Regulations Concerning Human Subject Research Participation

Background: The United States’ Department of Human and Health Services (HHS), in July 2011, proposed sweeping changes to regulations that govern research on human subjects, often referred to as the Common Rule. The JPC-SE submitted a letter expressing concern about the ramifications of proposed changes on the future conduct of epidemiologic research in the United States.

JPC-SE Direct Contributions:

Related Documents:

Related Documents from Canada:

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HIPAA

Background: Access to data is foundational to the conduct of epidemiologic research. Epidemiologists have traditionally gained access under laws that permit restricted access. Under proposed changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), epidemiologic research requiring access to data would be compromised. The JPC-SE has responded to HHS, bringing these concerns to the attention of the Secretary of HHS, Kathleen Sebelius.

JPC-SE Direct Contributions:






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Peer Review

Background: In the formation of some key government advisory panels, leaders from several epidemiology societies had noticed that no epidemiologists were included. This issue was discussed by the JPC-SE, emanating in letters to the Director of NIH.

JPC-SE Direct Contributions:


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Future Ideas

Background: Development of new Position Statements by the JPC-SE requires that a member representative on the JPC-SE help take leadership (“champion”) of that issue. The JPC-SE at its sole discretion may invite outside experts to assist it with the development of such documents, and decide what issues to take up. The JPC-SE will follow its standard procedures regarding vetting and approval of any document.

Non-JPC-SE members are invited to bring to the attention of a current JPC-SE representative (confer the list posted on the right at www.jpc-se.org/about.htm) an issue that they hope can be championed, by writing to JPCSE.chair@gmail.com; if possible, identify a specific person to whom you recommend referring the issue. Ideas for new positions papers or issues that are currently in development include:

  1. The importance for continued funding by the US of the AHRQ. (The JPC-SE Champion is Dr. Eduardo Franco.)

JPC-SE Direct Contributions:

More to come...

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