In this post, I tap on a burning issue that is immensely important to
people like me who are working full time in biomedical research; funding. Despite
the hurdles it faces to improve care, clinical medicine generates direct income
(and profit) through the patient care it delivers. Such income pays physicians,
nurses, hospital teams, overheads etc… Unlike clinical medicine, biomedical
research is mechanism that requires tons of money, but it is always viewed as a
national investment for future economic growth.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest funding organization of
biomedical research in the world, describes the impact of its work on US economy, and states that:
It directly supported almost half million jobs in medical research in 2012
For every $1 of NIH funding, about $2.21 is generated in local economic growth.
Let’s look at just one example. The U.S. government’s $4 billion investment in the Human Genome Project spurred an estimated $965 billion in economic growth from 1988-2012; a 178-fold return on investment, after adjusting for inflation.
It directly supported almost half million jobs in medical research in 2012
For every $1 of NIH funding, about $2.21 is generated in local economic growth.
Let’s look at just one example. The U.S. government’s $4 billion investment in the Human Genome Project spurred an estimated $965 billion in economic growth from 1988-2012; a 178-fold return on investment, after adjusting for inflation.
NIH isn't the only US governmental agency that funds
biomedical research. Other major agencies include Department of Defense, Department
of Homeland Security, and Department of Agriculture, among many others.
However, who decides the dollar amount to be spent by these
agencies is the legislative arm in the US; the Congress. Due to the major
budget cuts in 2010:
NIH budget was decreased by ~14%
Department of Defense budget was decreased by ~12%
Department of Agriculture budget was decreased by ~20%
What is very shocking is that the Department of Homeland Security budget for biodefense was almost shut down, and decreased by ~91%.
NIH budget was decreased by ~14%
Department of Defense budget was decreased by ~12%
Department of Agriculture budget was decreased by ~20%
What is very shocking is that the Department of Homeland Security budget for biodefense was almost shut down, and decreased by ~91%.
A striking example showing the projected difference between healthcare spending on Parkinson’s Disease versus the research and development (R&D) spending on Parkinson’s Disease is shown in the below figure. While the current funding limits are maintained, the healthcare cost of the 1.5 million Americans with Parkinson’s Disease, with annual incidence of 60k new cases, will jump from $8 billion to $18 billion per year.
Figure adapted from 10th annual Investment in Research 2012 report by Research!America.
Federal spending on R&D doesn't only support direct biomedical research in the US. In addition to support
training programs (predoctoral, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels) and research
centers, it also supports research globally through USAID and the NIH’s Fogarty International Center.
More detailed figures can be found in 10th annual Investment in Research 2012 report by Research!America.
