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The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) coordinates, supports, and evaluates NIH health disparities research; conducts and supports extramural and intramural research; and builds partnerships to translate discoveries into measurable health improvements. The Institute prioritizes developing, testing, scaling, and implementing evidence-based interventions to close gaps and improve population health.
NIMHD has a broad and distinctive role across NIH. The Institute supports a wide range of science that helps us better understand health conditions and also research that tests practical ways to improve health outcomes. That includes observational studies, mechanistic studies, intervention studies, dissemination and implementation research, and research capacity-building programs. Across all of this, the goal is meaningful improvement in health.
What Are Health Disparities?
NIH defines a health disparity as a measurable difference in health that exists between specific population groups. This is a rigorously derived and data-driven determination operationalized by quantifiable metrics, rather than a statement of attribution.
Why Study Health Disparities?
Mission
The mission NIMHD is to advance scientific knowledge that improves the health of populations experiencing health disparities and strengthens the health of the Nation as a whole.
NIMHD supports research across clinical care, health services and health systems; community health, data science, and population science; and biological and behavioral sciences. As the Nation confronts costly health challenges, NIMHD plays a critical role in research to understand and address drivers of chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders.
NIH-Wide Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Strategic Plan
Charged with leading scientific research to improve minority health and reduce health disparities, NIMHD led the development of the 2021-2025 NIH Minority Health and Health Disparities Strategic Plan. The plan was a collaborative effort with all NIH Institutes, Offices and Centers and externally with experts and members of the public.
This strategic plan demonstrates the commitment of NIH to improving overall population health, which includes reducing health disparities.
