The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Council of Councils, an advisory body of 27 members, met on April 5th. The Council discussed establishing a network for research in primary care and creating a working group focusing on reducing racial disparities from artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) in research and healthcare settings.
Dr. Tara Schwetz, Deputy Director for Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), opened the meeting by announcing new developments from the All of US program and about the White House’s new Women’s Health Research Initiative.
Network for Research in Primary Care
Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, Director of NIH, presented about a proposal to investigate research infrastructure in primary care networks. Life expectancy is lower in the United States when compared to similar countries even though the U.S. spends more on healthcare – Dr. Bertagnolli stressed that we need to find out why this is the case. Dr. Felicia Qashu, Program Leader, Office of Strategic Coordination, continued by explaining that this pilot project would “establish a cross-NIH clinical research infrastructure focused on. . . primary care settings.” The Council unanimously approved this program in a vote. The Network for Research in Primary Care Settings will include a two-year pilot phase and a three-year implementation phase.
The AIM-AHEAD program, in its third year, gives opportunities to researchers through pilot programs and fellowships. It is also building data and infrastructure capacity, and facilitating AI implementation in under-resourced healthcare settings. The specific goals of these AIM-AHEAD opportunities are to:
- Enhance the participation and representation of underrepresented researchers and communities
- Address health disparities and inequities by using AI/Machine Learning (ML)
- Improve the capabilities of this emerging technology
Dr. Susan Gregurick, Director of Data Science at NIH, presented about the future of AIM-AHEAD. The Council of Councils will solicit recommendations for the program’s next phase. Because the program has left a positive impact on underrepresented communities, DPCPSI was interested in hearing the Council’s advice on where to go next. The Council agreed that a working group would be ideal to help modify and improve this very promising project.