The NIMHD

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIMHD’s mission is “to lead scientific research to improve minority health and health disparities” (Source: About NIMHD web page). To meet  this mission, the Institute supports external and internal research initiatives. NIMHD also serves as an information source for both the medical community and the US public.

 The Institute’s function dates back to 1990 and the formation of the Office of Minority Programs within the NIH Office of the Director. In 1993, it became the Office  of Minority Programs, and in 2000 was elevated to the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities became the official designation in 2010 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Specific Interests

NIMHD has identified three research interest areas to advance minority health and address health disparities:   1) Clinical and Health Services Research, 2) Integrative Biological and Behavioral Research, and 3) Community Health and Population Sciences. The Institute has also developed a Research Framework Model incorporating factors to be considered when studying minority health and health disparities. This initial model has been modified for specific health disparity populations as well (see Dr. Manson’s edition specific to Native Americans).

Approach

NIMHD supports external research efforts, providing research funding to universities, medical institutions, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. NIMHD advertises specific interests using requests for applications (RFAs), program announcements, and general program descriptions. Internal research efforts are focused on three disease areas associated with significant health disparities: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

 NIH just published the “Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan 2021-2025”, outlining a variety of specific goals including emphasizing health promotion, increasing intervention research, improving methodology research, training up the next generation of minority health and health disparities researchers, ensuring representation of minority and other health disparity populations in NIH-funded research, and many others.

Agency Organization

Within the structure of NIH, NIMHD has its own Director. The Director, with their leadership team, sets the vision for the Institute and deploys budget resources responsive to that vision. There are three programmatic divisions within the Institute beyond the Office of the Director:

·       Science Programs (including extramural research)

·       Data Management and Scientific Reporting

·       Intramural Research

 The National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NACMHD) provides guidance on the Institute’s research portfolio and serves in an advisory capacity for the Health and Human Services Secretary, NIH and NIMHD Directors on matters related to the Institute’s mission. The Council has 15 members as well as ex officio members and representatives from other federal agencies.

Resources:

Know Your Agency Brief: NIMHD

NIMHD Know Your Agency e-Seminar

NIMHD Strategic Plan