NOTEWORTHY
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Publishes New Strategic Plan
In the spring of 2024, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) released its strategic plan for fiscal years 2024–2028, Advancing Alcohol Research to Promote Health and Well-Being. The strategic plan considers the long-term priorities of the alcohol research field while remaining flexible to adapt to emerging public health needs and scientific opportunities. It charts a course for the next five years and outlines the goals and priorities that will guide NIAAA’s research through a dynamic balance of basic, translational, and clinical research relevant to NIAAA’s mission. Specifically, the plan focuses on four research goals:
- Elucidate the biological mechanisms and consequences of alcohol misuse
- Identify patterns, trends, and public health impact of alcohol misuse
- Prevent and reduce alcohol misuse, alcohol use disorder, and associated consequences
- Improve diagnosis and expand treatment of alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related conditions
Several cross-cutting research themes are also covered in the plan:
- Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the alcohol research enterprise
- Advancing research on women’s health
- Applying a life course approach to alcohol research
- Encouraging a whole person, integrated approach to health
- Innovating alcohol research and care through data science
The strategic plan also describes NIAAA’s cross-cutting research programs on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and on alcohol and HIV.
“This strategic plan will guide NIAAA for the next five years of research and discovery,” said NIAAA Director George F. Koob, Ph.D. “In addition to continuing to support and conduct cutting-edge research on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, we will continue to build our research capacity and ensure good stewardship of the public’s investment.”
The NIAAA Strategic Plan is available to view or download through the NIAAA website.
