The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and is the nation’s primary medical research agency leading research essential to saving lives & improving health.

This petition is important because:

1. Over 50 million people die each year from diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, TB, and heart disease, a number which could be dramatically decreased by medical research and breakthroughs funded by the NIH.

2. Breakthroughs in medical research aren’t only going to lead to greater global health. They will also lead to greater education, equality, and economic, social, and political stability throughout the world.

3. In addition to funding some of the world’s most innovative science, the NIH is a critical component of the national economy. According to recent estimates, every $1 budgeted to the NIH returns $2 to the economy, and funding to the organization supports more than 400,000 jobs across the country.

We are calling on everyone to urge Congress to support the NIH and ensure funding for critical medical research that could save tens of millions of lives in the coming decade.