Public Health

Events

Public Health Thank You Day

For 18 years, Research!America has organized the effort to say “thank you” to our public health workforce the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Press Releases & Statements

Senate FY24 LHHS Appropriations Bill Shows Bipartisan Support for R&D Priorities

Update, August 1: FY24 Budget Chart – Appropriations We applaud the extraordinary leadership displayed by Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice-Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), Subcommittee Chair Tammy Baldwin […]

Events

Alliance Discussion with Dr. Mitch Prinstein, American Psychological Association

Our world is more connected than ever before. Our communities lie at our fingertips, from Twitter to Instagram to TikTok, but does interconnectedness have its drawbacks? What does it mean […]

Events

Research!America Alliance Member-only Meeting with Cheryl Jaeger, Crossroads Strategies and Jane Loewenson, NVG, LLC

The September 30th end of Fiscal Year 2023 is fast approaching. What’s possible, probable, and probably not in the cards as R&D relevant funding and policy priorities hang in the […]

Blog

Alliance Discussion with Neil Vora: Preventing Pathogen Spillover and Future Pandemics

Dr. Neil Vora discussed the link between human health and the health of the planet, specifically, the increasing threat of emerging infectious diseases able to “jump” or spillover from animals to humans and the role

Events

Alliance Discussion with Dr. Dan Jernigan, Director of the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID)

How is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) helping to better protect the U.S. from public health threats? Dan Jernigan, MD, MPH, Director of the National Center for […]

Blog

Putting Research into Action to Address Firearm Injury

Rebecca Cunningham, MD discusses using research to address the devastating public health toll of firearm injury.

In the News

Debt ceiling package: Research agencies could lose billions

Read full article on Chief Healthcare Executive. If Congress approves the package to raise the debt ceiling, health and research agencies should avoid steep cuts that some had feared. President […]

In the News

COVID clawback in debt limit deal spurs public health fears

Read full article on The Hill. Public health advocacy groups are sounding the alarm over a provision in the debt ceiling deal to claw back about $27 billion in unspent […]

In the News

Lobbying Grows Against Debt Deal’s Covid Clawback Ahead of Vote

Read full article on Bloomberg Government. Public health advocacy groups are sounding the alarm over a provision in the debt ceiling deal to claw back about $27 billion in unspent […]

Blog

Applying Quality Public Health Data for Healthier Communities

Mary Pittman, DrPH, President and CEO of PHI discusses how to identify and apply quality health data to create healthier communities.

Videos

Alliance Discussion with Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, University of Michigan

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Elect To Advocate

This afternoon, we hosted our Annual Meeting of Members, combining business and mission with opportunities for working together in 2023. (See slides from the meeting, which include our four newly […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Alarm Bells Are Ringing

No, ChatGPT-4 didn’t write this letter, but maybe that’s in our future! I don’t know about you, but every time I think I’ve got a handle on what artificial intelligence […]

Videos

Research!America Alliance Discussion with Dr. Mary Pittman, Public Health Institute (PHI)

Events

Alliance Member-Only Meeting on AI with Dr. Regina Barzilay, MIT

Regina Barzilay, PhD, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, joined us to discuss the potential – and potential pitfalls – as health-focused artificial intelligence (AI) evolves. Dr. […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

If You Think Research is Expensive, Try Disease

“If you think research is expensive, try disease” — famous words spoken by Mary Lasker, a pioneer of medical research advocacy. As a founding Board member of Research!America more than […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Big Ideas Bring Better Health

Join us in celebrating National Public Health Week, April 3–9. This year’s theme is “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health”; read the welcome letter from Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director […]

Blog

National Public Health Week Spotlight Series: Melanie Gibboney, Fatality Review Coordinator

Melanie Gibboney, MPH, Fatality Review Coordinator, discusses the importance of data collection, building and maintaining partnerships, and what she hopes for harm reduction efforts in the future.

Events

Alliance Discussion with Dr. Mary Pittman, Public Health Institute

Research is only as good as the data informing it. Mary Pittman, President and CEO, Public Health Institute (PHI) joined us for a discussion focused on what good data really […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Spotlight on Equity

Dear Research Advocate, The National Academies has released a detailed consensus report, “Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations: Beyond Broadening Participation.” The report calls on higher education […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Facing Down Existential Threats

Dear Research Advocate, In his 2023 State of the Union address, President Biden praised the progress made when members of Congress and the Administration work together to support essential national […]

Videos

Research!America Alliance Discussion with Dr. Margaret Hamburg

Margaret A. Hamburg, MD, an internationally recognized leader in public health, medicine, and biomedical research and innovation, joined us for an alliance discussion. She has served in numerous leadership roles including Commissioner of the Food

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

It’s Never Over

Dear Research Advocate, In concluding his 38-year tenure as Director of the NIAID, having served under seven presidents, Anthony Fauci, MD, offers his perspectives in the New England Journal of […]

Press Releases & Statements

Celebrate Public Health Thank You Day on Monday, November 21

Every year, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, Research!America brings together public health organizations and supporters to celebrate #PHTYD and show gratitude to the public health workforce for their dedication to […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

A Time to Say Thank You

Dear Research Advocate, More than 8 in 10 Americans say they know someone or have themselves experienced at least one brain disorder or mental health condition, according to a national […]

Blog

Public Health Thank You Day Interview Series: Lilly Kan, MPH, Public Health Data Improvement Project Director

Lilly Kan, MPH, discusses why high-quality, timely, and accessible public health information is so important to people’s health and well-being. 

Blog

Public Health Thank You Day Interview Series: Eli Briggs, Public Policy Director

Eli Briggs, MA, shares details of her role liaising between infectious disease experts and the federal government and what preparation for the next infectious disease outbreak entails. 

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

The Clock is Ticking

Regardless of the final outcome of party control in the House and Senate for the 118th Congress, the current Congress must still pass a final FY23 spending package. The clock is ticking.

Blog

Public Health Thank You Day Interview Series: Alexandra Harris, Emergency Management Specialist

Alexandra Harris, MS, MPH, Emergency Management Specialist, shares her journey into the field of public health and discusses how emergency management plays a critical role in the intersectionality of preparedness and public health. 

Blog

Current Topics in Mental Health: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder & COVID-19

More than two-and-a-half-years into the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re still wrestling with understanding the extent of its impact. One important area to consider is the lasting effects of the pandemic on […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Vote! And Keep Engaging

Election day is less than a week away (please be sure to vote!). To better understand what the election means for federally-funded R&D, register to join us for our Post-Election […]

Blog

Current Topics in Mental Health: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

On July 16, 2022, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, was implemented across the United States. This lifeline provides streamlined access to […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

What Does $10.6 Billion Buy?

Halloween spending is projected to hit a record high of $10.6 billion this year, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. It’s great to see people so eager to celebrate! It’s also an opportunity to put research spending into

Events

Alliance Discussion with Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers

Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers, co-directors of Hiding in Plain Sight, Youth Mental Illness and winners of Research!America’s 2023 Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion Award joined […]

Blog

What Can We Do to Prevent Suicide?

Robert Gebbia discussed current efforts in suicide prevention, the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and the critical work of his group.

Events

Public Health Thank You Day

For 17 years, Research!America has organized the effort to say “thank you” to our public health workforce the Monday before Thanksgiving. The sheer number and complexity of public health challenges […]

Blog

Alliance Discussion with Dr. John Balbus: The Role of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity

John Balbus, MD, MPH, discusses HHS' new Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and the impact of climate change on health.

Blog

Alliance Discussion With Dr. Stephen Morrison: Global Health R&D

Stephen Morrison, PhD, discusses global health policy and R&D following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Saying Thank You — and Seeing Parallels

An attention-getting “Thank You” Twitter campaign is recognizing members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for their work in passing the once-in-a-generation CHIPS and Science Act. The campaign […]

Blog

2022 Forum Remarks from Surgeon General Murthy

Watch Dr. Murthy’s remarks. Hi, I’m Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States. It’s my honor to welcome you to the Research!America 2022 National Health Research Forum. I […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

The Countdown is On

Our late board chair, esteemed congressman John Porter, cited his father’s polio as the genesis of his lifelong commitment to elevating the priority of research. Concerns regarding the widely reported re-emergence of polio in New

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Inaction is a Terrible Decision

New challenges need new budgets to meet present and future needs, including preparing for future pandemics.

Videos

Climate Change Discussion with Dr. Balbus

Dr. John Balbus, Interim Director of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity, joined us to discuss the important work of this new office within HHS.

Videos

Research!America Alliance Discussion with Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, APHA

Join Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association and a Research!America Board member, is going to speak with us about the current state of the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic - where we are

Blog

The imperative for pandemic preparedness

Never again should the United States be caught so flat-footed in the face of a global pandemic. Adequate preparation is not only possible, it is a necessity as we move forward, but it’s clear we have

Blog

Clear Voice Award Recipients Discuss Public Health Communication

Communication throughout the pandemic has been critical and Clear Voice Award co-recipients Anne Schuchat, MD, and Michelle Williams, ScD, have been at the forefront. “Communication has never been more important than this past year. And it's never been more

Blog

Getting to Know the 2020 Honorees

The Research!America 2021 Virtual Advocacy Awards program featured recognition of several of the 2020 awardees we were unable to salute in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Herbert Pardes, […]

Blog

Microgrant Spotlight: The Activist Lab at the University of South Florida College of Public Health

The Activist Lab at the University of South Florida College of Public Health serves as a resource for students to develop skills and gain experience in advocacy, education, research, leadership, and service. For their 2021

Blog

Survey Data Shows Americans are Concerned About Climate Change

Although climate change is often portrayed as a polarizing issue, it is a significant concern for Americans, according to a Research!America survey. Well over half of those surveyed said that climate change is already harming

Blog

Building Bridges to Better Health – NPHW 2021

This week, communities across the country are celebrating National Public Health Week (NPHW) led by the American Public Health Association (APHA).

Blog

Taking Inventory: Establishing a National Commission to Assess COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Preparedness

For just over a year now, an invisible, deadly enemy has wreaked havoc around the world. 

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Point to the Victories

On Tuesday, Research!America sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar asking him to clarify the decision to end NIH grant funding for an ongoing, EcoHealth Alliance research initiative focused on pandemic preparedness. We urge

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Now is the time

“Hopefully, the urgency that everyone is seeing around COVID-19 will translate into bigger investments for global health vaccines.” 

Blog

Majority Say Elected Officials Should Listen to Advice from Scientists

When asked about the importance of elected officials at all levels listening to advice from scientists, a strong majority (88%) of respondents say that it is “somewhat important” or “very important”.

Blog

To address COVID-19 and future pandemics, we must answer fundamental questions

Being in the middle of a global pandemic feels unsettling and frightening. Part of that fear is rooted in the unknown, because we still have many unanswered questions: fundamental information researchers don’t know about the

Blog

Dr. Robert Redfield: In His Own Words

“We’re going to continue at CDC to rely on data science to determine the most appropriate public health measures to lead us out of this outbreak and to communicate those effectively to the policymakers.”

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

With gratitude for all

Happy Thanksgiving Week!  Every Monday before Thanksgiving Research!America hosts Public Health Thank You Day (PHYTD), thanking the individuals across the nation who serve the public health. 

Blog

Science’s Thanksgiving Bounty

As we prepare to gather with family and friends around tables big and small, it’s time to ask the age old question: What are you thankful for this year?

Blog

No Person is an Island – The Imperative for Partnerships in Public Health

When Donne first shared the notion that no person is an island he could scarcely have imagined the intricate web that is global public health today.  When we envision our […]

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Let’s take time to say thank you

On the Monday before Thanksgiving each year, Research!America, along with public health leaders across the nation take time to salute the people who work day-in and day-out to protect us from disease, injury, and other

Blog

Public Health Data Systems: Time for an Upgrade

Infectious disease outbreaks. Opioid overdoses. Chemical exposures. When threats like these arise, we rely on public health surveillance efforts to identify and address them. However, our current systems are outdated and disjointed, hindering the ability

Blog

Understanding Health Disparities

“We have to go upstream and look at how we got here,” to understand the implications of social factors and health disparities...

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

News you can use, for your health and for your advocacy

Last week, the White House laid out its plan for all Cabinet departments to trim their proposed FY20 budgets by 5%. 

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Public Health Demands Advocacy

News broke this week that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is struggling with a still-rising death toll due to Ebola, claiming more than 139 lives since July and spreading beyond the DRC. Meanwhile in

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

The Senate is busy and so are we

This morning, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing with Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier, the nominee for director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Three ways to let the Senate know your views

President Trump signed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA), authorizing $716 billion in spending for the Department of Defense (DoD). 

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Messages Worth Repeating

The opioid crisis is responsible for an estimated 1,000 emergency department visits every day in the United States.

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Public Engagement Leads to Public Support

During a visit to the University of Michigan last week, I learned about an important new initiative that empowers faculty to take a more active role in public engagement. 

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Writing Early for Several Good Reasons

I am sending this week’s letter a day earlier than usual to urge you to take part (if not in person, then by livestream) in our 2017 National Health Research Forum titled “Is a ‘Disease-Free’ World Within Reach?”

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Confronting Challenges Together

The devastation wreaked by Hurricane Harvey is heartbreaking.

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Power to the Public

Recently, I joined hundreds of attendees at the Aspen Institute’s annual Spotlight Health program. One recurring theme was the power of data to drive medical progress. David Blumenthal, president of the Commonwealth Fund, called digitized data

Mary Woolley's Weekly Letter

Speak up and be Heard

House Republican Leadership released an ACA replacement bill this week (section summaries available from the Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means committees).