Eli Berglas , David Musheyev , Aaron B. Lavi , Rachel S. Berglas , Rachel Berglas , Abdo E. Kabarriti
{"title":"Inequity of NIH cancer funding in the United States: an ecological study predicting funding based on disease burden from 2008 through 2023","authors":"Eli Berglas , David Musheyev , Aaron B. Lavi , Rachel S. Berglas , Rachel Berglas , Abdo E. Kabarriti","doi":"10.1016/j.lana.2025.101081","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Disease burden has been used to predict National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding but included diseases with little underlying relationship. Here we focus on cancers to create a more appropriate model to allow for more targeted scrutinization of funding allocation.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An ecological study using NIH funding data (2008–2023) was performed. Inclusion of cancers was based on their presence in the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool and the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were collected and to evaluate the impact of public interest, Google Trends data was used. Multivariable linear regression determined appropriate funding based on disease burden and public interest. To quantify how each cancer’s funding differed from model predictions residual values were used to calculate the percent over/under funding.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Fifteen cancers met inclusion criteria. Neuroblastoma had the greatest ratio of funding to DALYs per 100,000 people (US$14,000,000) while lung cancer had the lowest (US$300,000). Stomach cancer was the most underfunded (197.9% [95% CI: 136.0%, 276.2%]) while brain cancer was the most overfunded (64.1% [95% CI: 53.8%, 72.1%]). Even at their lowest funding values in the study period brain, breast, and colorectal cancer all had greater than 40% overfunding. Contrarily, the lowest annual funding for leukemia, uterine, and stomach cancer received less than 150% of expected funding. Despite its overfunding brain cancer had an increase in DALYs in the study period.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>Modeling by disease category demonstrated disparities in funding indicating the need for reevaluation for possible funding inequities. The year-by-year approach taken in this study will drive the ability for future research to better understand NIH funding decisions. Additionally, the role of public interest in research funding needs to be further evaluated to ensure that popularity does not override disease burden, in funding decisions.</div></div><div><h3>Funding</h3><div>No Funding.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":29783,"journal":{"name":"Lancet Regional Health-Americas","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101081"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Lancet Regional Health-Americas","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667193X25000912","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
Inequity of NIH cancer funding in the United States: an ecological study predicting funding based on disease burden from 2008 through 2023
Background
Disease burden has been used to predict National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding but included diseases with little underlying relationship. Here we focus on cancers to create a more appropriate model to allow for more targeted scrutinization of funding allocation.
Methods
An ecological study using NIH funding data (2008–2023) was performed. Inclusion of cancers was based on their presence in the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool and the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were collected and to evaluate the impact of public interest, Google Trends data was used. Multivariable linear regression determined appropriate funding based on disease burden and public interest. To quantify how each cancer’s funding differed from model predictions residual values were used to calculate the percent over/under funding.
Findings
Fifteen cancers met inclusion criteria. Neuroblastoma had the greatest ratio of funding to DALYs per 100,000 people (US$14,000,000) while lung cancer had the lowest (US$300,000). Stomach cancer was the most underfunded (197.9% [95% CI: 136.0%, 276.2%]) while brain cancer was the most overfunded (64.1% [95% CI: 53.8%, 72.1%]). Even at their lowest funding values in the study period brain, breast, and colorectal cancer all had greater than 40% overfunding. Contrarily, the lowest annual funding for leukemia, uterine, and stomach cancer received less than 150% of expected funding. Despite its overfunding brain cancer had an increase in DALYs in the study period.
Interpretation
Modeling by disease category demonstrated disparities in funding indicating the need for reevaluation for possible funding inequities. The year-by-year approach taken in this study will drive the ability for future research to better understand NIH funding decisions. Additionally, the role of public interest in research funding needs to be further evaluated to ensure that popularity does not override disease burden, in funding decisions.
期刊介绍:
The Lancet Regional Health – Americas, an open-access journal, contributes to The Lancet's global initiative by focusing on health-care quality and access in the Americas. It aims to advance clinical practice and health policy in the region, promoting better health outcomes. The journal publishes high-quality original research advocating change or shedding light on clinical practice and health policy. It welcomes submissions on various regional health topics, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, child and adolescent health, maternal and reproductive health, emergency care, health policy, and health equity.