ABSTRACT
In its nearly 5 decades of existence, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has expended $23 billion in conducting and supporting research and translating discoveries to practice. The resulting dramatic impact on peoples' lives and improved health for children and families, chronicled herein, are a testament to the benefits of having this institute at the National Institutes of Health.
Subject(s)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U.S.)/organization & administration , National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U.S.)/trends , Child , Humans , Infant, Newborn , National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (U.S.)/economics , Neonatal Screening/methods , Neonatal Screening/trends , Pediatrics/economics , Pediatrics/methods , Pediatrics/trends , United StatesABSTRACT
We, the directors of the 27 NIH institutes and centers, wanted to respond to the points made by Andrew Marks in his recent editorial. While we appreciate that the scientific community has concerns, the current initiatives and directions of the NIH have been developed through planning processes that reflect openness and continued constituency input, all aimed at assessing scientific opportunities and addressing public health needs.
Subject(s)
National Institutes of Health (U.S.) , Organizational Policy , Humans , National Institutes of Health (U.S.)/economics , National Institutes of Health (U.S.)/organization & administration , United StatesABSTRACT
A relatively small number of physical disorders are unique to women, are more prevalent or serious in women, or require special prevention or intervention strategies in women. Among the earliest of these to appear developmentally are precocious puberty, for which an effective treatment has recently been developed, and anorexia and bulimia, which are increasing in frequency among young women without effective treatment. Arthritis, diabetes, lupus erythematosus, gallstones, and osteoporosis are other diseases in this category.Reproductive health concerns are a major focus of women's health. The hundred-fold reduction in maternal mortality related to pregnancy is one of the major public health achievements of this century. Despite effective contraceptives, over half the pregnancies in this country are unintended; thus, solving the related problems of infertility and unintended fertility are research priorities. Improving pregnancy outcome, particularly reducing the rate of prematurity, also needs increased attention.Cancer is the leading cause of death in middle-aged women. Lung cancer has replaced breast cancer as the primary cause of cancer death among women due to the increase of cigarette smoking among women. Smoking contributes to numerous other causes of death and disability among women. Of all things women could do to improve their health, the most important would be to avoid smoking.
