Biomedical Workforce Diversity Programs and Health Disparities Research

NCCIH Statement on Biomedical Workforce Diversity and Health Disparities Research
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) is committed to the development of a biomedical research workforce that is representative of the diversity in American society. NCCIH supports the NIH diversity efforts and seeks to promote diversity in all of its training and research programs and to increase the participation of underrepresented groups. The Center recognizes that a diverse biomedical workforce is key to excellent science. It fosters innovation and discovery, improves the quality of research, and increases the likelihood that research outcomes will benefit all of us. NCCIH also supports research on the use of complementary and integrative health practices to reduce health disparities and inequities in high priority areas including pain management, stress reduction, health promotion, health restoration, and disease prevention.
NIH established the UNITE initiative to address structural racism and promote racial equity and inclusion at NIH and within the larger biomedical research enterprise. Learn more about NIH programs and events related to increasing scientific workforce diversity.

Training and Career Development—Programs to Enhance Workforce Diversity
NCCIH is committed to funding research with diverse populations and promoting a diverse scientific workforce. We support training, career development, and research opportunities directed at minority health and health disparities.

Health Disparities Research Funding Opportunity Announcements
Women and underserved groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, and sexual and gender minorities (SGM), have distinct health needs and often experience disparities in health outcomes. Individuals with low socioeconomic status, or who live in rural communities, also often experience such disparities. NCCIH maintains that women, minorities, rural, low income, SGM, and other populations experiencing health disparities should be included in all relevant research, such that there is sufficient representation of each population to conduct relevant analyses.
News and Events
Past Events
- STrategies to enRich Inclusion and achieVe Equity (STRIVE) Initiative Workshop Series (July–October 2021)
- Enhancing Rigor, Relevance, and Equity in Research and Evaluation through Community Engagement! (October 27–28, 2021)
- Addressing Health Disparities with Neuroscience: Views by Two—The Science of Bias: Impact on Health (November 4, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. ET)
- Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Minoritized Youth and Young Adults in the United States (November 10, 2021 at 1 p.m. ET)
- Structural-Level Determinants of Rural Health Disparities (November 18, 2021)
- NIH UNITE Listening Sessions (December 14, 2021 through February 1, 2022)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Mental Health: Progress and Prospects (January 18, 2022)
- Diverse Voices Lecture: Cancer in Women (January 27, 2022)
- Minority Stress and Cardiovascular Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations (February 17, 2022)
- Fostering Cohort Recruitment Virtual Forum (February 23–24, 2022)
- Structural Racism and Discrimination and Whole Person Health Research: An NCCIH Conversation (April 19, 2022)
- Path to Enhancing Scientific Workforce Diversity; STRIVE (May 18, 2022)
- The Virus of Racism: Understanding Its Threats, Mobilizing Defenses; NIH Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors (June 3, 2022)
Contact

Training and Career Development Contact
Lanay M. Mudd, Ph.D.
Program Director, Clinical Research in Complementary and Integrative Health Branch
Division of Extramural Research
Phone: 301-594-9346
Email: lanay.mudd@nih.gov

Health Disparities Research Contact
Beda Jean-Francois, Ph.D.
Program Director, Clinical Research in Complementary and Integrative Health Branch
Division of Extramural Research
Phone: 202-313-2144
Email: beda.jean-francois@nih.gov