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Future Directions for NIH Research in the Behavioral and Social Sciences

This article discusses the mission of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) at NIH and its charge to develop a research plan. It highlights ten areas of focus, including predisease pathways, the environment and gene expression, social factors, positive health, inequalities, interventions, methodology and training, and research infrastructure. The article also outlines OBSSR's priorities and next steps.

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Future Directions for NIH Research in the Behavioral and Social Sciences

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  1. Future Directions for NIH Research in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD Associate Director for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research National Institutes of Health

  2. OBSSR at NIH Office of the Director, NIH OBSSR Other Scientific & Administration Units 27 Institutes and Centers Extramural Programs Intramural Programs

  3. OBSSR Mission • Enhance behavioral and social sciences research and training • Promote a biobehavioral, interdisciplinary perspective across NIH • Improve communication among health scientists and the public

  4. OBSSR Charge to NRC • Develop a research plan to guide NIH in supporting areas of high priority in behavioral and social sciences with focus on: • Common interest across ICs • Greatest scientific payoff • Most important to public health

  5. Predisease pathways Environment and Gene Expression Personal Ties Healthy Communities Population Health Positive Health/Health Promotion Inequalities Interventions Methodology and Training Research Infrastructure NRC New HorizonsTen Areas of Focus

  6. Predisease Pathways • Early-warning system defined by biomarkers and markers of behavioral and social factors

  7. The Environment and Gene Expression • Connect advances in genetics to behavioral and social environmental factors • Study the dynamic interactions over the life course that produce positive and negative health outcomes

  8. Social Factors • Personal Ties • Healthy Communities • Population Health • Examine individuals within social systems AND social systems as units of analysis • Link to biological processes

  9. Positive Health • Shift focus from illness and disease to wellness, good health, and optimal human functioning • Study mechanisms through which behavioral and social factors lead to good health

  10. Inequalities • Study how SES, racial, and ethnic hierarchies, discrimination, and stigmatization influence health

  11. Interventions • Expand scope and effectiveness of social and behavioral interventions • IOM Report Promoting Health: Intervention Strategies from Social and Behavioral Research

  12. Methodology and Training and Infrastructure • Measurement techniques and study designs to link information across levels of analysis and across time • Longitudinal study populations • Train scientists who can integrate health-related knowledge across multiple disciplines

  13. OBSSR Priorities • Collaborate with ICs on cross-cutting initiatives • Strategic investments in key steps for advancing behavioral and social sciences • Related NAS/IOM reports and NIH Sociocultural Report

  14. Progress and Promise in Research on Social and Cultural Dimensions of Health: A Research Agenda June 27-28, 2000

  15. OBSSR Next Steps • Collaborate with IC’s on health disparities research • Support methods workshops and training with focus on strengthening BSSR methods • Study the pathways linking education and health

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