The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a significant investment in primary care research with the launch of a pilot program named Communities Advancing Research Equity for Health – or CARE for Health. This $30 million initiative, funded over fiscal years 2024 and 2025, is designed to test the feasibility of a national primary care research network. The core aim of CARE for Health is to integrate clinical research seamlessly into everyday primary care settings, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes, particularly within communities that have been historically underrepresented in research and underserved by the healthcare system.
NIH Director Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D., emphasizes the critical need for this program in a recent Science Editorial. She points out that despite remarkable advancements in medical science, health disparities persist, and the health of certain segments of the U.S. population is not improving. CARE for Health represents a strategic effort to make research more inclusive and responsive to the specific needs of diverse communities. By engaging primary care providers and their patients directly in the research process, the program aims to generate actionable knowledge that translates into better patient care.
The CARE for Health program, supported by the NIH Common Fund, will initially build upon existing NIH-funded clinical research networks and community partnerships. This foundational approach will establish the necessary infrastructure to support research activities within selected primary care sites. The first round of funding, expected in fall 2024, will prioritize organizations serving rural communities, recognizing the unique challenges and needs of these populations.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted the importance of inclusivity in health research, stating, “Health research should be accessible to all populations. Clinical trials should reflect the diversity of Americans – because we know that delivers the best results.” CARE for Health is a concrete step towards ensuring that communities historically excluded from clinical research are not only included but also benefit directly from the advancements in medical knowledge and care.
Participating primary care sites will have the autonomy to select research studies that align with the most pressing health concerns and priorities within their communities. This community-driven approach ensures that the research is relevant and impactful for the populations being served. Patients will become active participants, contributing their data to research endeavors that directly aim to improve their health and well-being. Crucially, the findings and aggregate results of these studies will be shared back with the research participants, fostering transparency and trust. CARE for Health is specifically designed to broaden the reach of NIH-funded research, ensuring greater engagement with individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups, older adults, rural residents, and those with lower socioeconomic status or educational attainment – populations often underrepresented in both healthcare and clinical research. The research will address common health issues and focus on preventative care strategies.
Dr. Bertagnolli underscores the vital role of community-oriented primary care in building trust, especially among populations who may have reservations about the medical system or scientific research. She notes, “Community-oriented primary care not only provides essential health services, but it also engenders trust among those who lack confidence in recommended medical care or science.” Expanding access to primary care services is directly linked to reducing health disparities and improving overall mortality rates. CARE for Health is built on the principle that trust is earned through accessible care and by demonstrating the tangible benefits of research participation to individuals and their communities.
As CARE for Health evolves, it will expand its scope by launching new research studies across the network, establishing additional study sites, enhancing training programs, and strengthening data management and interoperability systems. A key objective is to create a seamless “learning health system” where research insights directly inform clinical practice, and real-world clinical data enriches research endeavors. This dynamic interplay will be facilitated through innovative practices and trial designs aimed at minimizing the burden of research on both primary care providers and patients.
Tara A. Schwetz, Ph.D., NIH Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, articulates this vision, stating, “The goal is to create a learning health system in which research informs clinical practice and clinical data informs research.” The program’s growth will be guided by the needs of participating sites and their communities, ensuring that new clinical studies are directly relevant to their specific health challenges, and that the resulting evidence directly improves the care they receive.
The NIH hosted a public workshop on June 7, 2024, to discuss the integration of research into primary care, further demonstrating its commitment to this crucial area. This workshop served as a platform to share findings from listening sessions focused on the challenges and opportunities inherent in this integration.
The CARE for Health program exemplifies NIH’s dedication to advancing primary care research and fostering health equity across diverse communities. It represents a significant step towards a more inclusive and responsive healthcare research ecosystem.
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CARE for Health Program Infographic: NIH Initiative for Primary Care Research Network, Improving Health Equity and Outcomes in Underserved Communities]
About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, encompasses 27 Institutes and Centers and is an integral part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As the primary federal agency for medical research, NIH conducts and supports a wide spectrum of research from basic science to clinical and translational studies. Its mission is to uncover the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For further information about NIH and its programs, please visit www.nih.gov.
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