NIH Disaster Research Response Program Goals & Projects
The following list describes several initiatives with partners to improve research preparedness and response across the federal health sector.
- Health and Human Services (HHS) Science Preparedness Research Intra-agency Team (SPiRIT)
SPiRIT is a cross discipline HHS steering group that manages the interdepartmental framework for conducting disaster-related science. It contains multiple sub-working groups that provide scientific research engagement and prioritization for specific topics. - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Disaster Science Research Initiative (DSRI) to Enhance Responder Safety and Health
A NIOSH initiative to expand our understanding of how to conduct timely, scalable, scientifically sound research focused on the safety and health of responders. The goal is a framework that allows for research to be started quickly in the time before, during, and after response to a large scale disaster. - Intra-NIH Disaster Interest Group (I-DIG)
A partnership among NIH Institutes and Centers that aims to share timely information, enhance relationships and processes, improve opportunities for collaborations and serve as a discussion platform for actions.
Other Related Projects
- HHS SHARPER: Science, Healthcare, Preparedness, Evaluation and Research
SHARPER is an initiative to better utilize metrics and evaluation research in improving hospital and healthcare system preparedness.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Emerging Threats Working Group
The workgroup is a trans-NIEHS strategic body that coordinates responses to emerging threats (hydro-fracking, climate change) and disaster situations across divisions. It focuses on integration, support, and planning for future events with the goal of expanding NIEHS capacity and processes, organizational infrastructure, and response capabilities. - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery
The Disaster program at SAMHSA exists to provide information and resources to professionals and the public for emergency preparedness and response. Technical assistance for responders, including a research information exchange, can be found at the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center.