Science Visioning

Populations experiencing health disparities are disproportionately burdened by disease, worse health outcomes, and premature mortality. In 2015, NIMHD began a visioning process to create a scientific vision that will transform minority health and health disparities research. Thirty specific research strategies across the three pillars that guided the science visioning: methods and measurement, etiology, and interventions establish a new paradigm to stimulate research for improving minority health and closing the gaps in health disparities. The full list of research strategies is available as a PDF.

The visioning strategies are endorsed by the NIMHD Director, the National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and many in the extramural scientific community. The strategies have been incorporated into the upcoming NIH Strategic Plan for Minority Health and Health Disparities and will guide NIH’s research agenda to advance this field.

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH)

The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) special issue, New Perspectives to Advance Minority Health and Health Disparities Research is a series of essays and editorials that lays out the comprehensive and transparent agenda for the field of health disparities research. The articles discuss new paradigms and strategies that will foster a harmonized health disparities research agenda at NIH, including consistent measures, and priority research questions.


Page updated Jan. 4, 2024