Infectious Diseases Society of America

Infectious Diseases Society of America
Name	Infectious Diseases Society of America
Abbreviation	IDSA
Formation	1963
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia, United States
Membership	Over 12,000
President	Paul G. Auwaerter
Website	www.idsociety.org

Infectious Diseases Society of America. The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a premier professional organization dedicated to advancing the field of infectious diseases through research, education, prevention, and patient care. Founded in 1963, it represents physicians, scientists, and other healthcare professionals working in areas such as HIV/AIDS, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infections. The society is widely recognized for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and for its influential advocacy on public health issues.

History

The society was established in 1963 by a group of physicians seeking to create a dedicated forum for the growing subspecialty of infectious diseases, distinct from broader fields like internal medicine or pediatrics. Early leadership included figures like Edward H. Kass, who was instrumental in founding the organization and later served as its president. A significant early achievement was the launch of its flagship journal, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, in 1964. Over the decades, the society expanded its focus in response to major public health challenges, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and the rising threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and other multidrug-resistant organisms.

Organization and governance

The society is governed by a board of directors, which includes officers such as the president, president-elect, and immediate past president, along with directors representing various geographic regions and specialties. The current president is Paul G. Auwaerter of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Key committees and councils, such as the Guidelines Committee and the Public Health Committee, oversee specific areas of work. The organization maintains a headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, and collaborates closely with allied groups like the HIV Medicine Association and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society.

Publications and guidelines

The society publishes several leading peer-reviewed journals, including The Journal of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Infectious Diseases, both produced in partnership with Oxford University Press. It is perhaps best known for its authoritative clinical practice guidelines, which are developed by expert panels using rigorous GRADE methodology and cover conditions ranging from community-acquired pneumonia to Clostridioides difficile infection. These guidelines are frequently endorsed by other major bodies like the American Thoracic Society and influence standards at institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Annual meeting

The IDSA Annual Meeting, often held in conjunction with the meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, is a major international conference that attracts thousands of attendees. It features presentations of cutting-edge research, updates on outbreaks like Ebola virus disease and Zika virus, and sessions on topics such as vaccine development and infection control. The meeting also includes named lectureships, such as the Maxwell Finland Lecture, and provides a key venue for networking among professionals from institutions like the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization.

Advocacy and public policy

The society engages in significant advocacy efforts, primarily through its IDSA Center for Global Health Policy. It lobbies for increased federal funding for agencies like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and supports legislation such as the GAIN Act to stimulate antibiotic development. A major policy focus has been combating antimicrobial resistance, leading to collaborations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and testimony before committees like the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The society also issues policy papers on issues including pandemic preparedness and tuberculosis control.

Awards and recognition

IDSA confers several prestigious awards to honor contributions to the field. The highest honor is the Alexander Fleming Award for lifetime achievement, named for the discoverer of penicillin. Other notable awards include the Oswald Avery Award for early career achievement, named for the pioneering researcher at the Rockefeller University, and the Walter E. Stamm Mentor Award. The society also bestows the IDSA Fellowships to support young investigators and recognizes outstanding research presented at its annual meeting.

Category:Medical and health organizations based in Virginia Category:Medical associations based in the United States Category:Infectious disease organizations