Appendix A

Statement of Task

A 1.5-day public workshop will explore the growing understanding of how the interplay between humans and microbes affects host physiology and causes chronic diseases. The workshop will allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of the continuum between infectious and noncommunicable diseases, including how it provides new opportunities for prevention and treatment. Specifically, this workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions including the following:

• Current knowledge on the known and suspected causal associations between micro-organisms and chronic diseases and conditions, as well as associated issues;
• The evolving understanding of how the microbiome affects the normal physiological functioning in humans and how these interactions vary depending on the population, geographic location, and other biological or environmental factors;
• Research needed to further understand the relationship between micro-organisms and chronic diseases and physiological functions;
• Opportunities for developing new approaches to prevent, detect, and mitigate chronic diseases and to reduce their public health impact and burden;
• Cutting-edge methods and tools as well as study designs being used to explore links between chronic diseases and infectious diseases; and

• Mechanisms to leverage cross-sectoral collaborations and break down silos among various stakeholders from research to practice.

Workshop speakers and discussants will contribute perspectives from government, academia, the private sector, and the nonprofit sector.