Featured Resources and Opportunities
NIAMS Requests Feedback on Themes for its Fiscal Years 2025-2029 Strategic Plan
NIAMS is updating its strategic plan to help guide the research, training, and information dissemination programs it supports for fiscal years 2025 through 2029. NIAMS invites feedback on cross-cutting thematic research opportunities that position the institute to make a difference in the lives of all Americans.
NIAMS wants to hear from everyone—including researchers in academia and industry, health care professionals, patient advocates and health advocacy organizations, scientific or professional organizations, federal agencies, and other interested members of the public—on the institute’s distillation of the input received to date. Professional societies and patient organizations are strongly encouraged to submit a single response that reflects the views of their entire membership.
Deadline updated: Submit your comments to the Request for Information by January 15, 2024.
NIH Launches Virtual Tour
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a new NIH Virtual Tour! This dynamic, interactive tour showcases the depth and breadth of NIH’s important work turning discovery into health. The tour features 20 in-depth virtual tour stops on the NIH Bethesda campus. Visitors can select the full tour to experience the scope of NIH’s work or choose one of the two special tour tracks—one designed specifically for patients and caregivers interested in NIH clinical trials and one designed for researchers and others to explore opportunities for working, collaborating, or training with us.
Take the NIH Virtual Tour.
New YouTube Channel to Serve as Hub for Community-Engaged Resources
The NIH Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) has launched a YouTube channel to share promising practices for community-engaged research and to amplify the work of NIH CEAL teams on the ground. Subscribe to the channel to find features like the CEAL Consultative Resource Speaker Series playlist, which includes webinars promoting inclusive participation in research and more.
Download Free eBooks on Complementary Health Approaches
Two new eBooks developed by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health can help your community members make informed decisions about whether to use complementary health approaches.
- Yoga for Health provides an overview of what the science says about yoga for health, including its use by older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with health conditions. It also features tips on how to practice yoga safely.
- Pain: Considering Complementary Approaches provides an overview of complementary health approaches for pain management. It also has brief summaries of what the science says about whether each approach is useful and safe, as well as tips to become an informed consumer.
Looking for Great STEM Teaching Resources?
NIH has partnered with the Kahoot! gaming platform to create free, interactive quizzes for K–12 teachers and learners. Topics include superbugs, health literacy, lung health, depression in teens, and more.
View a full listing of all the quizzes on NIH’s Kahoot! page, and check back regularly to see more quizzes!
Ready, Set, Plan! A Step-by-Step Guide to Advance Care Planning
The National Institute on Aging has launched a new 7-week email series titled, “Ready, Set, Plan! A Step-by-Step Guide to Advance Care Planning.” This email series is designed to empower older adults and caregivers to take charge of their health and future care by creating an advance care plan that works for their specific needs. The 7-week series will help people:
- Discover the basics of advance care planning.
- Think about their values, and their care and treatment preferences.
- Start conversations with loved ones and health care providers.
- Learn how to make an advance care plan official.
Need Help Understanding Rare Diseases?
The Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center supports people living with a rare disease and their caregivers by providing access to easy-to-understand information that is free and reliable.
Contact the GARD Information Center to get individualized help with:
- Finding or understanding information about a rare disease.
- Navigating information on getting a diagnosis for a rare disease.
- Discovering resources, disease experts, or clinical studies for a rare disease.
You can also explore resources for people with rare diseases and advocates to find ways to get involved and learn about the latest research.
Find Upcoming Health Observances Information in English and Spanish
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News
Letter From the Director: Engagement With Patient Advocacy and Community Groups Is Core to NIAMS’ Mission
Since joining NIAMS in 2021, I have been struck by how much our mission is driven by meaningful interactions with patient advocacy and other community groups interested in research related to bones, joints, muscles, and skin. This point was driven home this year with two terrific collaborative events: a multi-day meeting to gather input for the NIAMS 2025–2029 Strategic Plan and the 2023 NIAMS Coalition Outreach and Education Meeting.
Image: Lindsey A. Criswell, M.D., M.P.H., D.Sc.
NIAMS Coalition 2023 Outreach and Education Meeting Summary Now Available
NIAMS held its ninth NIAMS Coalition Outreach and Education Meeting on September 19, 2023, on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The NIAMS Coalition is an independent group of more than 95 professional and voluntary organizations interested in the research and mission areas of NIAMS. Approximately 50 representatives from more than 40 Coalition organizations joined NIAMS staff and speakers to total 80 attendees at this meeting.
COVID-19 Updates
Keep up with the latest on COVID-19 with health information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and research from NIH.