The Economic Stimulus and the

Health of Americans: An Opportunity Is Being Missed

As members of the prevention science community, we are concerned about the research priorities of the National Institutes of Health as indicated by its plans for spending the $10 billion in stimulus funds allocated under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

President Obama has clearly articulated an agenda for bringing about change in our communities through evidence-based programs and comprehensive efforts to address the risk factors that put people at risk for multiple problems. Yet the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and NIH funding of research that would advance these priorities is extremely limited.

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I have just read the NIH priorities for the Challenge Grants to be issued under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As a member of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Prevention, a member of a NIDA workgroup on prevention priorities, and as the Past President of the Society for Prevention Research, I feel compelled to comment on these priorities. (more…)