Committee Recommendations
In the last session of the day, Committee members put forward, debated, and revised several formal recommendations to the Secretary of Health. These four passed by unanimous votes. (Note: The wording of these recommendations is subject to change, as editing of final recommendations often takes place via email among Committee members. They did not project the written recommendations on the screen, making it more challenging to document the language voted upon.)
Recommendation 1:
The CFSAC renews its recommendation to the Secretary to establish Centers of Excellence for CFS that would effectively utilize state of the art knowledge concerning the diagnosis, clinical management, treatment and clinical research.
Recommendation 2:
The CFSAC renews its recommendation to the Secretary, as submitted 6 months ago, to establish progressive leadership at the CDC. It is disappointed that no response has been made to the earlier recommendation and it is interested in getting feedback, especially in light of the comments made to the New York Times by Dr. Reeves that reflect an inappropriate bias and undermine others CFS research.
Recommendation 3:
The CFSAC objects to CDCs continued use of the inadequate and inappropriate 2005 empiric research definition for CFS. It recommends that CDC abandon the empiric case definition and the fundamentally incorrect conceptualization of chronic unwellness as being equivalent to CFS incorrect.
Recommendation 4:
The CFSAC has significant concerns about the CDCs five-year plan. In particular, the priorities articulated in its recommendation of May 2009 have not been adequately captured in the latest draft. The CFSAC renews its recommendation that CDC prioritize: identification of biomarkers and (viral) etiology of CFS; partnership with organizations representing CFS scientific expertise to create guidelines for adult and pediatric management; provide web based guidelines for CFS management given our current state of knowledge and expert opinion; and provide comprehensive information about CFS in partnership with CFS experts to the scientific community, medical and mental health providers, educational institutions and the public for both adult and pediatric CFS through DHHS resources.
Dr. Miller of CDC was asked to comment on the recommendations and said only that he would take the points of discussion and outcomes back to the program and the center leadership.