Director’s Voice
OBSSR Seeks Research Community Input for Next Strategic Plan by March 29, 2020.
How time flies! OBSSR released its
third strategic plan in September 2017, and we are already halfway through this five-year plan. OBSSR has organized its functions and activities to achieve the objectives of this strategic plan and has made significant progress on these objectives. Internally, OBSSR is performing a mid-course evaluation to assess what has been accomplished and what remains to be accomplished under the current strategic plan, but in parallel we have also begun planning for the next strategic plan, and we want your input. Today (February 18), we release a
RFI and
IdeaScale campaign seeking your input to identify important new directions for health-related behavioral and social sciences research (
BSSR). Our current plan describes three scientific priorities:
- Improve the synergy of basic and applied behavioral and social sciences research
- Enhance and promote the research infrastructure, methods, and measures needed to support a more cumulative and integrated approach to behavioral and social sciences research
- Facilitate the adoption of behavioral and social sciences research findings in health research and in practice
Read Full Blog
Stress exposure is a major risk factor for the development and exacerbation of mental illnesses such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders. Researchers supported by grants from the NIMH, NIDA, NINDS, and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recently published research that elucidates the role of endogenous cannabinoid (eCB) signaling in brain regions associated with the stress-response, the amygdala and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC).
Read More
The dynamics of the social environment are considered crucial to a child’s development of communication skills. Researchers funded by the NICHD, Princeton University, and the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Transformative Technology Award conducted a study of how the brains of infants and adults interact during natural play. Previous studies have used methods involving scanning adults' brains with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in separate sessions, while the adults lay down and watched movies or listened to stories. However, in order to study real-time communication, a child-friendly method is needed for recording brain activity simultaneously from both the infant and adult brains.
Learn More
Worldwide, influenza results in up to 650,000 deaths each year. Researchers supported by grants from the NCATS are trying to improve methods for real-time surveillance and reporting of influenza infection trends using activity trackers. Traditional influenza surveillance reporting is often not in “real-time” and delayed by approximately 1–3 weeks, or more, and often revised months later, which may allow outbreaks to go unnoticed and spread. Previous studies have attempted to use data on internet search terms and social media to provide real-time influenza surveillance, a method also known as nowcasting.
Go There Now
NIH Releases RFI to Gather Public Input for NIH-Wide Strategic Plan
Last week, NIH issued a Request for Information seeking public input on a framework for the 2021–2025 NIH-wide Strategic Plan. The new plan will build on the
previous NIH-wide Strategic Plan to guide NIH’s research efforts over the next five years. The framework articulates NIH’s priorities in the following key areas:
- Biomedical and Behavioral Science Research
- Scientific Research Capacity
- Scientific Integrity, Public Accountability, and Social Responsibility in the Conduct of Science.
In addition, the framework identifies several cross-cutting themes that span the scope of these priorities. NIH invites you to review the framework in our
Request for Information and to provide your feedback via the
RFI submission site. The RFI will remain open through March 25. NIH is encouraging stakeholder organizations (e.g., patient advocacy groups, professional societies, etc.) to submit a single response reflective of the views of the organization/membership as a whole. NIH will be hosting two webinars in March to describe the planning process and answer questions. Information about these webinars will be posted on the
NIH-Wide Strategic Plan webpage as soon as information is available. Your input is vital to ensuring that the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 puts biomedical research on a promising and visionary path.
Learn More
2020–2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
The Department of Health and Human Services, led by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), released the draft 2020–2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (plan) for public comment. This plan, which was developed in collaboration with over 25 federal organizations, is intended to guide federal health information technology (IT) activities. The plan’s goals are deliberately outcomes-driven, with objectives and strategies focused on using health IT as a catalyst to empower patients, lower costs, deliver high-quality care, and improve health for individuals, families, and communities. ONC and its federal partners have taken and will continue to take steps to ensure that stakeholders in the healthcare sector benefit from the electronic access, exchange, and use of health information. Specifically, this plan explains how the federal government intends to use health IT to:
- Promote Health and Wellness;
- Enhance the Delivery and Experience of Care;
- Build a Secure, Data-Driven Culture to Accelerate Research and Innovation; and
- Connect Healthcare and Health Data through an Interoperable Health IT Infrastructure.
ONC encourages review and comments on the draft plan. Comments will be accepted electronically at the link below. Attachments should be in Microsoft Word, Excel, or Adobe PDF format.
The comment period is open for 60 days and the deadline for submission is March 18, 2020, at 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
Go There Now
Submit Input on NIH-Proposed Research Initiative to Decrease Maternal Mortality
NIH
published a request for information (RFI), NOT-OD-20-063, to solicit input on a proposed research initiative to decrease maternal mortality (MM). In strategic alignment with efforts undertaken across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and NIH’s already significant investments in MM research, NIH is considering the proposed two-pronged research initiative in pursuit of cutting-edge, innovative, and collaborative approaches to reducing MM. Both efforts would focus on addressing health disparities in MM—particularly in African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and rural populations—and improving data collection, standardization, and availability (e.g., common data elements). NIH encourages organizations (e.g., patient advocacy groups, professional organizations) to submit a single response reflective of the views of the organization/membership as a whole.
To respond to the RFI, please submit your comments via the submission website by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 21, 2020. Direct all inquiries to
[email protected].
Read More
2020 Annual Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials
OBSSR, in collaboration with NHLBI, will hold the 20th Annual Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials, July 19–27, 2020, at the Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland. The Summer Institute provides an intermediate/advanced course in planning, designing, and conducting high-impact randomized controlled trials of health-related behavioral interventions. It emphasizes programmatic research and prepares fellows to lead or collaborate on rigorous, high-impact behavioral trials and on systematic efforts to develop and improve health-related behavioral interventions.
The application deadline has been extended to February 22, 2020.
Learn More
Improved Understanding of Risk and Mechanisms for Developing Obesity in Infants and Young Children
NIDDK published a
request for information (RFI), NOT-DK-20-004, to solicit innovative ideas to better characterize risk factors and understand the underlying mechanisms through which these factors contribute to the development of obesity during early childhood. The goal is to develop innovative, targeted and more effective strategies for childhood obesity prevention.
All responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to the following email at [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 28, 2020.
Read More
Michigan Integrative Well-Being and Inequality (MIWI) Training Program
The Michigan Integrative Well-Being and Inequality (MIWI) Training Program, funded by OBSSR and NCCIH, is an opportunity for scientists to investigate the intersection of mental and physical health, with a focus on health disparities. The training encompasses conceptual frameworks, study designs, data collection needs, and analytic approaches necessary to conduct this innovative research. The program includes an intensive 4-day summer institute in Ann Arbor, MI, followed by ongoing collaboration with a mentorship team. The MIWI Training Program welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and encourage applicants with the following experiences:
- Behavioral/social scientists including anthropologists, sociologists, social workers, psychologists, economists, etc. studying mental health who are interested in learning how to incorporate and analyze biological/clinical measures.
- Clinical/health services researchers including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and allied health providers interested in learning how to assess mental disorders and related behavioral/psychological constructs.
- Researchers studying minority populations who want to employ or incorporate a more comprehensive approach to studying health.
The following criteria will be used to determine eligibility to participate as a scholar in the MIWI Training Program:
- Holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D., M.D., Sc.D., Dr.P.H., D.Pharm., D.O., D.N.Sc., etc.)
- Has demonstrated experience in health and/or health disparities research as evidenced by peer-reviewed scientific publications and/or participation in research grants.
- Demonstrates interest in participating in all aspects of the MIWI Training Program.
Applications are due on March 1, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants will be informed of decisions by March 20, 2020.
Go There Now
NIMHD Appoints Dr. Monica Webb Hooper, a Leader in Minority Health and Cancer Health Disparities Research, as Deputy Director
Monica Webb Hooper, Ph.D., has been selected as Deputy Director of NIMHD. She will begin her appointment on March 15. Dr. Webb Hooper is a leader in minority health and cancer-related health disparities research. Her work spans multiple disparity populations, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, persons of less socioeconomic privilege, and people living with HIV/AIDS. She comes to NIH from the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, where she was professor of oncology, family medicine and community health, and psychological sciences. She also served as Associate Director for Cancer Disparities Research and Director of the Office of Cancer Disparities Research at the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a licensed clinical health psychologist, she led an active research lab focused on chronic disease prevention, health behavior change, tobacco use, weight management and obesity, stress processes, biobehavioral interventions, and social determinants of health. Notably, Dr. Webb Hooper’s group was the first to conduct a randomized intervention study of tobacco use in African Americans that effectively delineated a method to create culturally specific interventions with demonstrated long-term success. Her work highlights the importance of moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches, particularly for behavioral interventions involving health disparity populations.
Read More
New HINTS 5, Cycle 3 (2019) Data Now Available for Download
The newest public use dataset, HINTS 5, Cycle 3 (2019), is
available for download. HINTS 5, Cycle 3 (2019) features our standard health communication and health technology items, as well as extended content on behavioral risk factors for cancer, such as alcohol; diet, weight and physical activity; tobacco; sleep; and UV exposure. HINTS 5, Cycle 3 (2019) was fielded January to May 2019 (n = 5,438). The dataset also includes expanded guidance on how to merge multiple HINTS datasets, how to conduct statistical modeling and inferential statistics using SPSS, as well as information on a push-to-Web mode pilot study that was fielded with HINTS 5, Cycle 3 (2019). This public use dataset and all supporting documentation is available for free download in SAS, SPSS, or STATA formats.
Go There Now
Notice of Information: National Death Index Linkage Access for NIH-Supported Investigators
Beginning January 1, 2020, through an agreement between the NIH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, (NCHS), NIH will reimburse the NCHS National Death Index (NDI) for the costs of NIH-supported investigators to link their research databases with the NDI for the research aims supported by the NIH. "NIH-supported investigators" refers to extramural investigators actively funded by the NIH, contract investigators working under an active contract with the NIH, and intramural researchers employed by the NIH. These NIH-supported investigators will be able to link their research data to the National Death Index (NDI) at no cost to the NIH supported investigator. NIH-supported investigators will continue to submit applications for NDI linkage as per current NDI procedures, and NDI will review and approve, or disapprove, these applications as per current NDI procedures.
Learn More
HEAL Initiative: Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) Regarding the Availability of Urgent Competitive Revisions
Notice Number: NOT-AR-20-016
Response Date: March 14, 2020
This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) calls for research on pain management in the context of opioid use or opioid use disorder (OUD). In particular, NIAMS is interested in providing data-driven evidence regarding effective mechanisms for reducing reliance on opioids while maintaining quality of life. Funds for Competitive Revisions to active grants are available as part of The Helping to End Addiction Long-term
SM Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative
SM, and awardees will operate within the Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program, a part of the NIH HEAL Initiative
SM. Investigators with active grants in the area of chronic pain and/or addiction are encouraged to apply. This award has two phases, a one-year Planning Phase and a two to three year Research Project Phase.
View NOT-AR-20-016
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): HEAL Supplements to Improve the Treatment and Management of Common Co-occurring Conditions and Suicide Risk in People Affected by the Opioid Crisis
Notice Number: NOT-MH-20-025
Response Date: April 08, 2020
As part of NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long Term (HEAL) Initiative, NIH will support competing revisions (formerly known as, competitive supplements) to improve the treatment and management of common co-occurring conditions and suicide risk in people affected by the opioid crisis. A total of $8 million is available to supplement existing grants and cooperative agreements, for up to 2 years, to evaluate strategies to improve treatment, management, and services for people with co-occurring conditions and suicide risk; measure co-occurring conditions in trial outcomes for issues related to treatment access, continuity, and response; and identify or validate putative change mechanisms that may account for secondary benefits of treatment (e.g., reduction of suicide risk as a following successful opioid use disorder [OUD] treatment) and that can inform the development and testing of future prevention, treatment, and/or services interventions. Supplement requests do not need to address all possible co-occurring conditions, but they must have clear and direct relevance to OUD and/or chronic pain.
View NOT-MH-20-025
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): HEAL Initiative: Social Network Analyses to Reduce American Indian and Alaska Native Opioid Use Disorder and Related Risks for Suicide and Mental Health Disorders
Notice Number: NOT-DA-20-033
Expiration Date: May 1, 2020
NIDA and NIMH announce the availability of Administrative Supplements to expand currently funded research that addresses substance use and/or mental health among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The proposed supplements must focus on opioid use and social network characteristics and should augment or add assessments of other drug use, mental health, and suicide risk if they are not already sufficiently measured. The administrative supplements selected for funding will be paid with funds from the NIH Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) program.
View NOT-DA-20-033
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplement for Continuity of Biomedical and Behavioral Research Among First-Time Recipients of NIH Research Project Grant Awards
Notice Number: NOT-OD-20-055
Expiration Date: March 6, 2023
The overarching goal of this pilot program is to enhance the retention of investigators facing critical life events who are transitioning to the first renewal of their first independent research project grant award or to a second new NIH research project grant award. Retention at the first renewal or continuous NIH research project grant support is crucial for sustaining both the ongoing research NIH has made an investment in and for retaining diversity in the biomedical research workforce. This program supports “at-risk” investigators as identified in the NIH Next Generation Researchers Initiative (see
https://grants.nih.gov/ngri.htm). This retention program seeks to maintain the productivity of current first-time recipients of eligible independent NIH research project grant awards who are dealing with a critical life event(s), such that they can remain competitive for the first renewal of their award or for a second research project grant award. For retention supplements to support the transition from K award to independence, see the companion NOSI.
View NOT-OD-20-055
