National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya recently visited the University of Alabama at Birmingham to share his vision to target chronic diseases as the head of the biomedical research agency.
One of the top-funded NIH institutions, UAB provided the backdrop for one of Bhattacharya’s first visits to a research institution since becoming director of the NIH in March. Since the beginning of the year, the agency has been the subject of budget cuts and grant cancellations.
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“One of the main reasons why it’s so important that places like UAB exist… is that the research infrastructure of this country must reflect the people of this country,” Bhattacharya said to a group of about 250 UAB researchers, staff, and students. “The folks who work at UAB understand in a deep way the problems, the health problems and the health needs of the population of Alabama.”
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, who has been vocal about her support for NIH in the face of proposed cuts, invited him to tour the research facilities.
Alabama’s high rates of obesity, chronic disease and diabetes means it stands to benefit from the Make America Healthy Again movement, Bhattacharya said.
“It’s absolutely vital that the research mission of this country address the health needs of Alabama, because by doing so, we address the health needs of the entire country,” he said.
In Alabama, NIH funds 716 active research projects totaling $409 million, according to Thursday’s presentation. At UAB, there are 583 active projects totaling $340 million.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Alex Angle and Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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