In a pioneering move, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has initiated a community-led research program aimed at investigating and addressing the structural factors within communities that significantly influence health outcomes. These factors encompass access to safe spaces, nutritious food, employment opportunities, transportation, and quality healthcare. Under the banner of the NIH Common Fund Community Partnerships to Advance Science for Society (ComPASS) program, NIH has allocated a substantial sum of approximately $171 million over a five-year period, subject to fund availability. This funding will support 26 community organizations and a coordinating center, enabling them to engage in research endeavors geared towards sustainable solutions that promote health equity, ushering in enduring transformations within communities nationwide.
Crucially, NIH is taking a direct approach by financing research projects led by community organizations. Leadership figures within these organizations will collaborate closely with their research counterparts at academic institutions and various other entities, thus fostering a comprehensive and holistic approach to research. ComPASS initiatives are dedicated to the exploration of social determinants of health, encompassing the social, physical, and economic conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, age, and engage in recreation. These determinants are widely acknowledged for their contributions to health inequities.
NIH Acting Director, Lawrence Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., commented on this innovative research model, stating, “The ComPASS research model harnesses diverse perspectives and expertise to examine systemic factors that impact the health of individuals, communities, and populations. We are excited to see how results from these awards exemplify the transformative power of community-driven research.”
This groundbreaking initiative underscores NIH’s commitment to addressing health disparities and fostering health equity by empowering communities to take an active role in understanding and resolving the structural issues that influence their health and well-being. Through the ComPASS program, it is anticipated that tangible progress will be achieved in the quest for a fair and equitable healthcare landscape across the nation.
