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Mary WoolleyPresident, Research!America

Public Health Advocacy CampaignsThe George Washington University

September 29, 2008

Mary WoolleyPresident, Research!America

Public Health Advocacy CampaignsThe George Washington University

September 29, 2008

“Every public health decision is made on a political decision.”

– William Foege, MD, MPHSeptember 10, 2003Senior Fellow, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Former Director, CDC

“Every public health decision is made on a political decision.”

– William Foege, MD, MPHSeptember 10, 2003Senior Fellow, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Former Director, CDC

Research!America’s Mission

• Make medical and health research, including research to prevent disease, disability and injury, a much higher national priority

Research!America Goals:

• Ensure that the public hears about research and its benefits

• Achieve more funding for medical and health research

• Advocate a policy climate that stimulates rather than impedes research

• Empower others to advocate for medical and health research

Research!America: 19 Years of Putting Research on the Public Agenda

• Non-profit alliance with 500 member organizations drawn from academia, business, patient organizations and scientific societies representing more than 125 million Americans

• Distinguished, all-volunteer board includes former elected and appointed officials, media and public relations leaders, and leaders from alliance member organizations

Select Research!America Accomplishments:

• Leadership in doubling the National Institutes of Health budget (1999-2003)

• Leadership in public opinion polling on medical and health research

• Leadership in message development for research advocacy

• Leadership in media attention to research• Leadership internationally to spur

advocacy for research

Research!America is an innovator in public education and advocacy for research

What We Faced in 1989:

“Preoccupation by Congress and the Administration with deficit reduction and competition for appropriations in a resource-scarce environment have resulted in woeful under funding of government agencies involved in medical research”

– from Research!America’s Charter

“…we recommend increasing the NIH budget by 15% per year, which would double the budget in current dollars by 1998.”

– J. Michael Bishop, Marc Kirschner, Harold VarmusScience. January 22, 1993

“…we recommend increasing the NIH budget by 15% per year, which would double the budget in current dollars by 1998.”

– J. Michael Bishop, Marc Kirschner, Harold VarmusScience. January 22, 1993

Early-Mid-1990s - Barriers to Achieving Doubling Goal:

• U.S. economy struggling• Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill

Clinton not vocal champions for NIH• Handful of Congressional champions• Members of Congress and American

public unfamiliar with NIH• Stakeholders focused on disease-specific

advocacy• Researchers resistant to public

engagement

Strategy for Success:

• Public opinion polling nationally and in states of key members of Congress

• Development of messages• Tracking investment in research to create baseline

metric• Grassroots plus grasstops advocacy strategies• Earned and paid media attention• Commitment of thousands of members of

voluntary health organizations• Chartering a single-purpose lobbying organization• Engagement of Congressional

leaders

1998 $13.6 Billion

1999 $15.6 Billion 14.7%

2000 $17.8 Billion 14.1%

2001 $20.3 Billion 14.0%

2002 $23.6 Billion 15.8%

2003 $27.2 Billion 15.3%

History of NIH Doubling

“The driving force behind the huge 15% increase in the NIH budget to $15.6 billion was an umbrella organization called Research!America.”

– Al HuntThe Wall Street JournalDecember 24, 1998

“The driving force behind the huge 15% increase in the NIH budget to $15.6 billion was an umbrella organization called Research!America.”

– Al HuntThe Wall Street JournalDecember 24, 1998

Challenges

• Thinking BIG

• Persistence Over Time

• Bringing the community togetherOne message/many messengers

• Overcoming resistance by research community to:– Public opinion polling– Mainstream media attention– Advocacy

“[The goal] has to feel like history. Incrementalism leaves the audience in a snooze.”

– Bono as quoted in The New York Times Magazine in reference to his call for 100% debt cancellation of the $6 billion the poorest African countries owe the U.S. September 18, 2005

“[The goal] has to feel like history. Incrementalism leaves the audience in a snooze.”

– Bono as quoted in The New York Times Magazine in reference to his call for 100% debt cancellation of the $6 billion the poorest African countries owe the U.S. September 18, 2005

PARADE/Research!America Poll “What Americans Think About Medical Research” March 21, 2004

PARADE/Research!America Poll “What Americans Think About Medical Research” March 21, 2004

“As a member of the U.S. Senate, it is incumbent upon me to hear the public voice about important issues. Research!America, through its national surveys, gives me added evidence of the importance of medical and health research to our citizenry—information necessary to make informed decisions where the public’s welfare is concerned.” –Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member, LHHS Subcommittee

“As a member of the U.S. Senate, it is incumbent upon me to hear the public voice about important issues. Research!America, through its national surveys, gives me added evidence of the importance of medical and health research to our citizenry—information necessary to make informed decisions where the public’s welfare is concerned.” –Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Ranking Member, LHHS Subcommittee

In Retrospect

• It was a mistake to sell doubling NIH as an end in itself/the goal line

• Doubling was really only the starting point or kick-off

• Inadequate attention to “what’s next” after doubling

Advocacy for NIH funding remains a Research!America goal

In addition, we are working on other campaigns…

Campaign for Public Health

Evan Jones, chairman, Campaign for Public Health, chairman of the board, Digene Corporation

CPH is comprised of prominent leaders in the public health community dedicated to advocacy that will accelerate the growth of federal appropriations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Karl B. Moeller, Executive Directorkarlm@fundcdc.org

www.fundcdc.org

What’s Happening to Accomplish This Goal

• House and Senate Staff Trips to Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in Atlanta

• Creation of Congressional Study Group on Public Health

• Advertising

• Business Leader Engagement

“Elections have a way of sorting things out.”

The Honorable John Edward PorterResearch!America Chair

“Elections have a way of sorting things out.”

The Honorable John Edward PorterResearch!America Chair

Election Day is November 4!

Election Day is November 4!

The New York Times: The Words They Used

“If you listened to the speeches in Denver and St. Paul, you might have noticed a conspicuous absence—there was very little talk about science at the conventions. Maybe a passing mention of health care or global warming here and there in the speeches, but little or no talk of embryonic stem cell research or the funding for our research institutions like the National Institutes of Health.”—Ira Flatow, host of “Science Friday,” on the Sept. 5 broadcast “Health and the Election.”

“If you listened to the speeches in Denver and St. Paul, you might have noticed a conspicuous absence—there was very little talk about science at the conventions. Maybe a passing mention of health care or global warming here and there in the speeches, but little or no talk of embryonic stem cell research or the funding for our research institutions like the National Institutes of Health.”—Ira Flatow, host of “Science Friday,” on the Sept. 5 broadcast “Health and the Election.”

Guest:Mary

Woolley

“Increasing the focus on prevention and wellness is a critical part of my health care plan. Under my plan, we will realize tremendous savings within the health care system from, among other things, improvements in prevention and management of chronic conditions.”

“I believe that the CDC plays a critical role in our nation’s health care and national security infrastructure, and I will ensure the CDC has the resources it needs to fulfill its public health mission.”

– Sen. Barack Obama, in his response to the 2008 Your Candidates-Your Health voter education initiative.

“Increasing the focus on prevention and wellness is a critical part of my health care plan. Under my plan, we will realize tremendous savings within the health care system from, among other things, improvements in prevention and management of chronic conditions.”

“I believe that the CDC plays a critical role in our nation’s health care and national security infrastructure, and I will ensure the CDC has the resources it needs to fulfill its public health mission.”

– Sen. Barack Obama, in his response to the 2008 Your Candidates-Your Health voter education initiative.

“Focusing on prevention and wellness is an important aspect of my health care plan.”

“I strongly support funding for CDC. CDC plays an important role in not only promoting better health for Americans through better management of chronic care diseases and encouraging healthier lifestyle habits but also strengthens our homeland security by combating bioterrorism threats, pandemics and promoting emergency preparedness.”

– Sen. John McCain, in his response to the 2008 Your Candidates-Your Health voter education initiative.

“Focusing on prevention and wellness is an important aspect of my health care plan.”

“I strongly support funding for CDC. CDC plays an important role in not only promoting better health for Americans through better management of chronic care diseases and encouraging healthier lifestyle habits but also strengthens our homeland security by combating bioterrorism threats, pandemics and promoting emergency preparedness.”

– Sen. John McCain, in his response to the 2008 Your Candidates-Your Health voter education initiative.

Invitations are also being extended to all 2008 Congressional candidates after each state’s Congressional primary. More than 240 Congressional candidates have already responded.

Our Partners in Your Candidates-Your Health

As Thanksgiving approaches, Research!America and the leading U.S. public health organizations ask Americans to give special thanks to their state and local “public health heroes” who protect the nation’s health throughout the year.

As Thanksgiving approaches, Research!America and the leading U.S. public health organizations ask Americans to give special thanks to their state and local “public health heroes” who protect the nation’s health throughout the year.

www.researchamerica.org

www.yourcandidatesyourhealth.org

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