The challenges of life during the COVID-19 pandemic are greatly magnified for those with chronic illnesses, who may have less access to needed care and support. This is especially true when those health conditions make them more susceptible to contracting or becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. People with substance use disorders or who are struggling to recover fall squarely in this category and research is urgently needed on the intersections of COVID-19 and substance use and related health issues. Such research could not only benefit some of the most vulnerable groups, but valuably inform efforts to address the pandemic more generally. People with substance use disorders are potentially...

Dear Research Advocate, We lost two extraordinary Civil Rights heroes this past weekend, John Lewis and C.T. Vivian. Of these courageous, committed advocates, Dr. Louis Sullivan, former HHS Secretary, Research!America emeritus board member, and friend to research advocacy, said in a statement: “ The lives of millions are better today because of their leadership and their sacrifice .” AAAS has begun a “transition to a lifelong commitment of actions to eradicate anti-Black racism in academia and STEM.” AAAS CEO and Research!America board member Dr. Sudip Parikh is leading the three-phase effort. You can review the first phase of the draft plan now. AAAS welcomes your feedback; please email...

Dear Research Advocate, Warning — Bad News First : On Tuesday, the Administration notified the United Nations of its intent to withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO). The withdrawal would not be effective until July 6, 2021, but the timing is cold comfort given the message it sends and the rickety path it implies for our nation's COVID-19 response. Research!America signed on to a letter asking Congress to take action to stop the withdrawal, and we will continue to make the case that social distancing does not mean global distancing. Unfortunately, this isn’t the only recent Administration action that contravenes American values and interests. T he U.S. Department of...

Dear Research Advocate, Mentioned here last week and the focus of an alliance member webinar earlier this week, the President issued an executive order (EO) extending and imposing new restrictions on worker and student visas. Our statement expresses opposition . Let’s face it — this EO essentially forces our nation to shoot itself in the foot. Bernat Navarro-Serer of the Johns Hopkins Science Policy Group (and a Research!America 2019 student microgrant recipient ) makes the case for sustaining our nation’s long-standing student visa programs . From the article: “ ...a suspension on work visas sends a strong message to current and future students seeking an education in the United States:...