User login
The postpandemic path forward for GI research
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recognizes the alarming impact of COVID-19 on the biomedical research community. The Institute has taken steps to address the pandemic’s immediate challenges, such as supporting COVID-19 research within its mission and implementing policies that ease grantees’ concerns about funding and lost time. The NIDDK has also sought to balance the needs brought about by the pandemic with its responsibility to continue research on the many diseases and conditions in the NIDDK’s purview.
The NIDDK continues to support most research through unsolicited R01 awards. It also continues to support organized consortia that aim to improve our understanding and treatment of digestive diseases; research centers that provide valuable sources of collaboration among researchers investigating digestive diseases and/or nutrition and obesity; and programs that encourage transitions to different career levels.
The pandemic has shown in stark relief the devastating impact of health disparities. Because many NIDDK mission diseases place disparate burdens on minority groups and people with limited resources, the NIDDK remains committed to combating health disparities, whether pandemic related or not. The Institute recruits diverse study cohorts inclusive of those most affected. It seeks to open doors for young people from underrepresented groups through training, support, and inspiration to pursue research careers, such as through partnerships with organizations like the American Gastroenterological Association. The NIDDK is also implementing strategies to promote participant engagement, not only as study volunteers, but also in study design, recruitment, and consent. And, importantly, the Institute is supporting research to identify the causes of health disparities, including research on social determinants of health.
This year, the NIDDK embarked on the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan to develop a broad vision for accelerating research on diseases and conditions across its mission. This plan is meant to be overarching and will complement the NIDDK’s disease-specific planning efforts. The first draft of the plan is currently being developed based on the input received from a Strategic Plan Working Group (which includes several AGA members), a public Request for Information, and NIDDK’s Advisory Council. The draft will be available through the NIDDK website (niddk.nih.gov) for public comment.
By taking these actions, the NIDDK aims to continue reducing the burden of digestive diseases and improving health for all people.
Dr. Rodgers is director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He has no conflicts. Dr. Rodgers made these comments during the AGA Institute Presidential Plenary at the annual Digestive Disease Week®.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recognizes the alarming impact of COVID-19 on the biomedical research community. The Institute has taken steps to address the pandemic’s immediate challenges, such as supporting COVID-19 research within its mission and implementing policies that ease grantees’ concerns about funding and lost time. The NIDDK has also sought to balance the needs brought about by the pandemic with its responsibility to continue research on the many diseases and conditions in the NIDDK’s purview.
The NIDDK continues to support most research through unsolicited R01 awards. It also continues to support organized consortia that aim to improve our understanding and treatment of digestive diseases; research centers that provide valuable sources of collaboration among researchers investigating digestive diseases and/or nutrition and obesity; and programs that encourage transitions to different career levels.
The pandemic has shown in stark relief the devastating impact of health disparities. Because many NIDDK mission diseases place disparate burdens on minority groups and people with limited resources, the NIDDK remains committed to combating health disparities, whether pandemic related or not. The Institute recruits diverse study cohorts inclusive of those most affected. It seeks to open doors for young people from underrepresented groups through training, support, and inspiration to pursue research careers, such as through partnerships with organizations like the American Gastroenterological Association. The NIDDK is also implementing strategies to promote participant engagement, not only as study volunteers, but also in study design, recruitment, and consent. And, importantly, the Institute is supporting research to identify the causes of health disparities, including research on social determinants of health.
This year, the NIDDK embarked on the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan to develop a broad vision for accelerating research on diseases and conditions across its mission. This plan is meant to be overarching and will complement the NIDDK’s disease-specific planning efforts. The first draft of the plan is currently being developed based on the input received from a Strategic Plan Working Group (which includes several AGA members), a public Request for Information, and NIDDK’s Advisory Council. The draft will be available through the NIDDK website (niddk.nih.gov) for public comment.
By taking these actions, the NIDDK aims to continue reducing the burden of digestive diseases and improving health for all people.
Dr. Rodgers is director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He has no conflicts. Dr. Rodgers made these comments during the AGA Institute Presidential Plenary at the annual Digestive Disease Week®.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recognizes the alarming impact of COVID-19 on the biomedical research community. The Institute has taken steps to address the pandemic’s immediate challenges, such as supporting COVID-19 research within its mission and implementing policies that ease grantees’ concerns about funding and lost time. The NIDDK has also sought to balance the needs brought about by the pandemic with its responsibility to continue research on the many diseases and conditions in the NIDDK’s purview.
The NIDDK continues to support most research through unsolicited R01 awards. It also continues to support organized consortia that aim to improve our understanding and treatment of digestive diseases; research centers that provide valuable sources of collaboration among researchers investigating digestive diseases and/or nutrition and obesity; and programs that encourage transitions to different career levels.
The pandemic has shown in stark relief the devastating impact of health disparities. Because many NIDDK mission diseases place disparate burdens on minority groups and people with limited resources, the NIDDK remains committed to combating health disparities, whether pandemic related or not. The Institute recruits diverse study cohorts inclusive of those most affected. It seeks to open doors for young people from underrepresented groups through training, support, and inspiration to pursue research careers, such as through partnerships with organizations like the American Gastroenterological Association. The NIDDK is also implementing strategies to promote participant engagement, not only as study volunteers, but also in study design, recruitment, and consent. And, importantly, the Institute is supporting research to identify the causes of health disparities, including research on social determinants of health.
This year, the NIDDK embarked on the development of a 5-year Strategic Plan to develop a broad vision for accelerating research on diseases and conditions across its mission. This plan is meant to be overarching and will complement the NIDDK’s disease-specific planning efforts. The first draft of the plan is currently being developed based on the input received from a Strategic Plan Working Group (which includes several AGA members), a public Request for Information, and NIDDK’s Advisory Council. The draft will be available through the NIDDK website (niddk.nih.gov) for public comment.
By taking these actions, the NIDDK aims to continue reducing the burden of digestive diseases and improving health for all people.
Dr. Rodgers is director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. He has no conflicts. Dr. Rodgers made these comments during the AGA Institute Presidential Plenary at the annual Digestive Disease Week®.