Planning Process

NIH 2026-2030 Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan

Charged with leading scientific research to improve minority health and reduce health disparities, NIMHD is launching the development of the 2026 – 2030 NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan.

With community engagement at the core, NIMHD will also collaborate with NIH Institutes and Centers and the NIH Office of the Director, and in consultation with the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities, will produce a plan that sets the direction and goals for minority health and health disparity research for the coming years.

ENGAGE

Townhall Meetings
Request for Information

DEVELOP

Draft Plan
NIH/HHS Clearance Process

RELEASE & IMPLEMENT

Townhalls

As we continue to address the complex factors contributing to health disparities, NIH recognizes the importance of engaging communities. We invite individuals, healthcare clinicians, researchers, and community advocates to share their lived experiences, perspectives, and ideas on how NIH can continue to improve minority health and reduce health disparities.

Note: The townhalls will be duplicated. If you would like to participate in a different breakout session, you can attend both townhalls. The sessions will not be recorded and the information shared will not be made public.

Background

The 2026-2030 NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan will build on the progress of its predecessor, maintaining and expanding goals to address health disparities through rigorous scientific research, collaboration, and dissemination efforts.

The Strategic Plan will guide NIH Institutes and Centers in setting scientific research goals that:

• Improve minority health and reduce health disparities.
• Enhance training and career development for a highly-skilled and diverse biomedical workforce.
• Build capacity for the scientific knowledge needed to improve health for all Americans.

We are committed to ensuring that NIH’s research is reflective of the needs and aspirations of those most affected by health inequities and contributes to a more equitable health care landscape for all. Diverse participation in this strategic planning process will help guide NIH’s efforts to conduct game-changing research, promote health equity and create a more inclusive, healthier future for all communities.

NIH seeks public input through an RFI and virtual townhalls to identify the most pressing concerns in minority health and health disparities for the next five years. Each strategic goal will include potential research strategies that can be utilized to demonstrate advancements. Given that these goals may not be fully attainable within five years, it is essential to focus on priority areas that can yield short-term positive population health impacts as well as foster challenging but necessary scientific areas to foster long-term advancements.

At the virtual townhalls, we will discuss key areas of focus, such as health disparities that should be addressed, strategies to improve minority health, advancing technologies, outreach to communities, and inclusion of diverse populations in research.

What to Expect at the Townhalls

During the virtual townhalls, we want to hear your comments on the most pressing concerns in minority health and health disparities and key areas of focus (i.e., research areas, training, community capacity building) that impact the specific population(s) you represent. The overall agenda will include:

• Overview of the Strategic Plan
• Code of conduct
• Breakout room discussions
  • Goals
  • Research needed – strategies/activities
  • Training and workforce development
  • Community engagement
• Summary of strategic plan process

Resources for Additional Information

• RFI (NOT-MD-25-002)
• Registration form introduction

More Ways to Submit an RFI Response

If possible, submitting your response via the online RFI feedback form enables more efficient information processing.

Comments may also be submitted via email to NIMHDPlanningandReporting@nih.gov

Non-electronic/digital input can be sent by postal mail:

• c/o Josué Lemus
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Democracy II
• 6707 Democracy Blvd., Ste 207
• Room 207I
• Bethesda, MD 20892-5465

Responses must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. ET on December 31, 2024.

Page updated Nov. 19, 2024  |  published Nov. 1, 2024