The U.S. spent $139 billion last year on health research, according to Research!America's new report, 2009 Investment in U.S. Health Research.

The report shows that this amount represents only 5.6% of the $2.47 trillion spent on health in the U.S. in 2009. Or, only 5.6 cents of every health dollar was spent on research last year. This represents an increase of only 0.1% over 2008 research spending.

This small increase can largely be attributed to the federal stimulus funding for research provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The National Institutes of Health received $14.7 billion to spend over two years under the ARRA. Once the ARRA funds run out, however, government research funding will drop.

Research funding in all other sectors measured in the report—including industry, universities, state and local governments, philanthropic foundations, voluntary health associations and independent research institutes—remained flat or decreased between 2008 and 2009. See this month's insert for more.

The American Federation for Medical Research traces its roots to 1940 and now counts members in all 50 states and abroad. The organization's membership includes researchers working in government, health care, education and industry.

An important facet to the American Federation for Medical Research is its division into four geographic regions: Eastern, Midwestern, Southern and Western.

"The regional sections," AFMR President Francis J. Miller, MD, said, "have traditionally been an important component of our society in providing leadership opportunities and increased participation at regional scientific meetings by young investigators and trainees."

And that is where AFMR's base lies. The organization helps young physician-scientists network and prepare for professional life; with so few opportunities to learn about career development, AFMR helps to fill that void. It also maintains a presence in Washington and counts the Clinical Research Enhancement Act among its victories.

Until 1996, the organization was known as the American Federation for Clinical Research; its new name reflects its current, broader mission. AFMR's objectives include improving support for basic and clinical research, publicizing the goals of medical research, and working to increase opportunities for clinical investigators working in  translational research.

Miller said that AFMR's first foray into public policy came as a result of an inquiry by former Sen. Hubert Humphrey, who asked about federal funding for medical research. That led to a membership with  Research!America, which he said has been beneficial.

"Research!America provides tools for communicating with Congress and the general public regarding the  importance of funding biomedical research; they give scientists a voice and make it easier to become engaged with media and elected officials," Miller said. "In addition, we support the initiatives to make the economic case for strong public and private investment in both basic and clinical research."

Visit www.afmr.org for more.

Research!America stands on a reputation of innovative advocacy that generates results serving our mission and the interests of our members:

• To facilitate the national conversation on the intertwined topics of health, research and the economy, Research!America and our partners have invited all candidates for federal office to participate in Your Candidates-Your Health.
• Our yearly report, U.S. Investment in Health Research, details where private and tax dollars for research originate and how that tracks with prior years.
• Research!America's advocacy tools help scientists become effective advocates for research funding and policy. Our polling shows that, in the public's view, scientists collectively speak with one of the most trusted voices; our resources help them make their voices heard by elected officials and others.
• We continue to lead the way in ensuring research can be a considerable force as part of the solution to our nation's economic and health challenges.

October is upon us and with it excitement in the research community over the Nobel Prizes, following on the Lasker Awards, whose recipients so often later earn Nobels. How long will the United States be the leading home of Nobel laureates? Only a nation committed to science as a priority will generate and attract the scientific brainpower that produces such world-class accomplishments—discoveries that transform health and well-being. And we can no longer assume that the U.S. is making science a priority.

The new National Academies report, updating its Gathering Storm report of five years ago, is a call to arms to correct a stagnating U.S. policy and resource environment for science. While the administration's rhetoric is supportive, neither it or Congress is taking steps quickly in the right direction. Indeed, once again, the American public is ahead of its elected representatives in reflecting a high priority for research: Our latest poll, recently released, gives clear evidence of this.

Public support for research is not vocal, however, largely because scientists and science-based institutions and organizations are nearly invisible in America. The public makes assumptions about science being robust, because they don't see the indicators the way those close to the enterprise do. We can change this state of affairs, turning passive public support into candidates' vocal support via those most involved and concerned—the stakeholders in research—you! Our Your Candidates-Your Health voter education initiative is the most effective way to weigh in, now, while time remains before the election.

Future Nobel prizes are at stake, along with the hope of realizing the promise of research!

According to Research!America's Your Candidates-Your Health poll, 70% of Americans favor expanding federal funding for research using human embryonic stem cells. The poll finding was cited in a CNN.com editorial by Emmy Award-winning actor and leading Parkinson's disease advocate Michael J. Fox. Fox stressed the importance of funding human embryonic stem cell research to allow the development of disease-modifying therapies for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) is again championing legislation to allow embryonic stem cell research to move forward without interference. DeGette told The New York Times that ever since the preliminary injunction had been placed on embryonic stem cell research, she had been inundated with calls from Members of Congress voicing their support for a bill to allow embryonic stem cell research to proceed.

Ada Sue Hinshaw, PhD, RN, and Patricia A. Grady, PhD, RN, published a book titled Shaping Health Policy Through Nursing Research. Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley wrote the foreword, in which she encouraged nurses and nurse researchers to become advocates for their work. She praised Hinshaw and Grady for their book, which provides practical strategies for translating research into policy.

The Democratic Policy Committee released a report about the economic impact of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The report cites Research!America's estimate that the $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health included in ARRA could create as many as 70,000 jobs in the near term and boost the economy in every state.

Research Media Ltd., a U.K.-based global health news outlet, published two articles online citing Research!America. The first article, an editorial by Simon Denegri, CEO of the U.K.'s Association of Medical Research Charities, states that international efforts are pivotal to the development of life-saving treatments and that organizations like Research!America play an important role in facilitating international research collaborations. The second article, an interview with Steven G. Reed, PhD, scientific director of the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) and an ambassador in Research!America's Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research, summarizes the mission of IDRI and cites Research!America as a close partner when it comes to advocating for infectious disease research.

An August 23 ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia halted federally funded embryonic stem cell research. The court injunction has been temporarily lifted but a legislative solution is needed to prevent more  disruption of this vital research. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) chaired a hearing to discuss the promise of human embryonic stem cell research.

Research!America, as a member of the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, is asking Congress to enact legislation that will indisputably clarify the issue of federal funding for ESCR. For the latest updates on stem cell research, visit http://www.researchamerica.org/pages/edit/stemcell_issue.

Budget Update

The Campaign for Public Health recently launched a successful ad campaign in response to an amendment by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) to a small business and jobs bill under debate in the Senate. To see the ad, click the thumbnail at left. Johanns proposed a change to the tax code and announced that he intended to pay for the associated costs of his amendment by raiding the newly-established Prevention and Public Health Fund. The Prevention fund sets aside $15 billion over the next 10 years to help the nation better combat preventable illness, injury and death. The fund was established with the understanding that of the $2.3 trillion the U.S. spends on health each year as a nation, not enough is done to keep Americans healthy in the first place. Seventeen national organizations supported the ad, and many others blanketed Capitol Hill with letters and media reports. The amendment failed to pass.

The CPH Foundation announced the two winners of its 2010 Unsung Heroes of Public Health Awards. Research!America members and all stakeholders in public health are invited to join CPH in honoring the winners in November 18 in Washington, DC. Details are at www.cphfoundation.org.

A guest editorial by former Research!America vice president of public health partnerships Karen Goraleski, the new executive director of ASTMH, appears in the October issue of American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The editorial appeals to researchers about the impact their advocacy can have on lawmakers and the federal investment in research. Below is an excerpt:

"The reluctance of the science community to actively engage in advocacy is attributable to a range of explanations ... However, leaving advocacy for research funding to someone else is a short-sighted strategy. ...

"Americans' belief in the hope that research offers does not fluctuate with election cycles or political parties. Every parent, family member or friend expects that research will deliver when it comes to their sick or injured loved one. To ensure that research continues to deliver, whose responsibility is it to help members of Congress—who determine research funding levels—to better understand the value and importance of what you do? Very simply, the answer is you."

Vice President Joe Biden and the White House released a report summarizing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments in innovation that have put the U.S. on track to achieve significant progress in four key areas. Among them are advances in health and medical research.

The report, titled The Recovery Act: Transforming the American Economy through Innovation, describes, for example, ARRA-funded advances toward allowing scientists to create a personal human genome map for under $1,000. That would allow researchers to map 50 human genomes for the same cost as one human genome costs today.

According to the report, 82% of the $10 billion in ARRA funds that went to the National Institutes of Health went toward scientific research. The remainder paid for construction, repair and improvements at the NIH's Bethesda, MD, campus and at NIH-funded facilities across the country. NIH-funded facilities also received new equipment with ARRA funds.

Back to top.

NIH Launches NICH to Better Understand Health Disparities

Karen Goraleski championed public and global health research for eight years at Research!America, most recently as vice president of public health partnerships, critically shaping Research!America's efforts in prevention research advocacy and a first-of-its-kind initiative in global health research advocacy. As the new executive director of The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Goraleski will continue her contributions to improving health for all through her leadership and vision.

Goraleski's skills and professionalism have left a marked impact on public and global health research advocacy and throughout the community. "We look forward to drawing on Karen's leadership experience in public health policy and association management," said Edward Ryan, MD, president of ASTMH. "Her expertise in engaging both health professionals and policy makers makes her the perfect person to build on ASTMH's current momentum and advance the Society's core missions and the cause of global health."

"Karen has been a highly valued member of Research!America's staff and a strong partner to our current and emeritus board members," Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley said. "They all join me in saluting her and wishing her every success in her new position."

Goraleski assumed her new role at ASTMH, a Research!America member, in September.

Back to top.

Public Opinion on Animal Research