Foreword
A Message from the NIH Director
It is my distinct pleasure to introduce the inaugural NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research. With this plan, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reaffirms our strong commitment to improve the health and well-being of the more than 70 million Americans with disabilities.
Nearly all Americans will experience disability at some point in their lives, and many of us have family members or friends who are disabled. It is imperative that we steadfastly work to ensure that all Americans, including those with disabilities, have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health.
NIH has a long history of supporting a broad range of disability-related research, ranging from basic science to clinical, translational, and implementation research. Much of this research has focused on preventing, curing, or treating various medical conditions. Yet, as we examine the scientific evidence and listen to our fellow Americans who have disabilities, we recognize there is a vital need to support research that also addresses other, nonmedical drivers of health for disabled Americans. These nonmedical drivers of health interact with medical conditions in complex and unique ways that frequently lead to poorer health outcomes for disabled Americans.
The NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26–FY30 provides a comprehensive roadmap to advance research that examines and addresses all factors that may impact the health and well-being of Americans with disabilities. By taking this holistic and harmonized approach, NIH can leverage the unique strengths of our Institutes, Centers, and Offices to promote innovative, responsible disability health research that measurably improves health outcomes for Americans with disabilities. We are committed to robust and ongoing support for disability health research and look forward to continued engagement and partnership with disability communities.
Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, National Institutes of Health