The Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (BSSR) Integration Working Group is established on January 29, 2021, to examine and improve behavioral and social sciences integration at NIH. In May 2022, the working group completes an assessment and provides recommendations on how to better integrate and realize the benefits to overall health from behavioral research at NIH.

OBSSR works with other ICs to coordinate two NOFOs, PAR 22-115 and PAR 22-120 that are published on March 4, 2022 in support as part of OBSSR’s violence research initiatives.

In February 2022, on behalf of the Contributions of Social and Behavioral Research in Addressing the Opioid Crisis committee, OBSSR commissions a special issue in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) that provides opportunities for integrating varied expertise and perspectives from a wide range of communities into NIH behavioral and social sciences research efforts related to the opioid and pain crises in the United States.

The Council of Councils Working Group on Trans-NIH Research Opportunities in Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (bBSSR) releases an updated report on May 21, 2021. The report highlights advances in scientific approaches, new discoveries, and increased funding for bBSSR by the NIH.

In FY2021, OBSSR, along with IC partners, publishes NOFOs to conduct research on firearm injury and mortality prevention and recommended that NIH take a comprehensive approach to studying the underlying causes and evidence-based methods of prevention of firearm injury, including crime prevention. NIH awards 10 grants in response to two funding announcements (PAR-21-191, PAR-21-192).

In March 2020, OBSSR, along with IC partners, publishes NOFOs that encourages research to improve understanding of the determinants of firearm injury.

In April 2020, NIH, with OBSSR collaboration and support, launches the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) Initiative to develop rapid, easy-to-use, accurate testing and make it available nationwide.

In January 2020, OBSSR spearheads efforts for an agreement between NIH and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics, (NCHS). Through this agreement, 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.

In December 2020, OBSSR develops “A Communicator’s Tip Sheet for COVID-19 Vaccination.” This tip sheet has recommended do’s and don’ts for COVID-19 vaccination communication.

An NIH-wide planning group led by Sylvia Chou at NCI and Christine Hunter at OBSSR convenes a panel of leaders in the social and behavioral sciences and in public health to summarize evidence-informed communication strategies in support of national coronavirus vaccine distribution efforts across federal agencies and their state and local partners.