All-Hands-on-Deck: NCCIH Needs You To Respond to the NIH HEAL Initiative

December 10, 2018

Drs. Helene Langevin and David Shurtleff

NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins stated today that the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term^SM) Initiative is taking an “all-hands-on deck” approach to the national opioid crisis, requiring “almost every NIH IC to attack the problem from all angles.” The nation’s opioid crisis claims the lives of over 115 Americans every day—with 46 of those deaths attributed to prescription opioids. We at the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) seek to address a contributing cause of this epidemic—reliance on opioids for chronic pain management. The high prevalence of acute and chronic pain is a contributor to the initiation and long-term use of opioids. New treatment options for acute and chronic pain are needed to reduce exposure to the risks associated with opioid use.

What Is NCCIH's Role in the HEAL Initiative?

See our new information page on NCCIH's role in HEAL, including notices, funding opportunities, and resources.

Monday, December 17 - NIH HEAL Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network (ERN) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Applicant Webinar

Join an applicant webinar about the “HEAL Initiative: Pain Management Effectiveness Research Network: Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required)” – RFA-NS-19-021.

The purpose of the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to support research that will test the comparative effectiveness of existing therapies or effectiveness of existing or novel approaches for prevention and management of pain while reducing risk of addiction.

Resources for Researchers

The Importance of Epidemiology to NCCIH

December 4, 2018

Dr. Richard Nahin

Studying patterns and outcomes in large groups of people over extended periods of time is critical to determining the roles of mind and body approaches and natural products in Americans’ health and health care, as well as understanding trends in the prevalence and treatment of pain. As lead epidemiologist for the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), I am fortunate to oversee a program responsible for design, implementation, and analyses of surveys that further understanding of both complementary health approaches and chronic pain. The NCCIH epidemiology group examines data sets that can be used to glean answers to compelling, unresolved research questions concerning both areas.

Developing Grant Applications for Pragmatic Research - A New Resource

The NIH Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory has published a new book chapter—available online for free—on developing a compelling grant application for a pragmatic clinical trial. Topics included in the new chapter, which is part of the Collaboratory’s Living Textbook of Pragmatic Clinical Trials, include finding the right program official, finding the right funding opportunity announcement, and writing a strong proposal that addresses review criteria. Dr. Wendy Weber, NCCIH’s Branch Chief for Clinical Research, authored this chapter.