research topic of health

Research Topics & Ideas: Healthcare

100+ Healthcare Research Topic Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation, thesis or research project. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a healthcare-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of healthcare-related research ideas and topic thought-starters across a range of healthcare fields, including allopathic and alternative medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, optometry, pharmacology and public health.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas within the healthcare domain. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. In it, we cover the process of writing a dissertation or thesis from start to end. Be sure to also sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic.

Overview: Healthcare Research Topics

• Allopathic medicine
• Alternative /complementary medicine
• Veterinary medicine
• Physical therapy/ rehab
• Optometry and ophthalmology
• Pharmacy and pharmacology
• Public health
• Examples of healthcare-related dissertations

Allopathic (Conventional) Medicine

• The effectiveness of telemedicine in remote elderly patient care
• The impact of stress on the immune system of cancer patients
• The effects of a plant-based diet on chronic diseases such as diabetes
• The use of AI in early cancer diagnosis and treatment
• The role of the gut microbiome in mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
• The efficacy of mindfulness meditation in reducing chronic pain: A systematic review
• The benefits and drawbacks of electronic health records in a developing country
• The effects of environmental pollution on breast milk quality
• The use of personalized medicine in treating genetic disorders
• The impact of social determinants of health on chronic diseases in Asia
• The role of high-intensity interval training in improving cardiovascular health
• The efficacy of using probiotics for gut health in pregnant women
• The impact of poor sleep on the treatment of chronic illnesses
• The role of inflammation in the development of chronic diseases such as lupus
• The effectiveness of physiotherapy in pain control post-surgery

Topics & Ideas: Alternative Medicine

• The benefits of herbal medicine in treating young asthma patients
• The use of acupuncture in treating infertility in women over 40 years of age
• The effectiveness of homoeopathy in treating mental health disorders: A systematic review
• The role of aromatherapy in reducing stress and anxiety post-surgery
• The impact of mindfulness meditation on reducing high blood pressure
• The use of chiropractic therapy in treating back pain of pregnant women
• The efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine such as Shun-Qi-Tong-Xie (SQTX) in treating digestive disorders in China
• The impact of yoga on physical and mental health in adolescents
• The benefits of hydrotherapy in treating musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis
• The role of Reiki in promoting healing and relaxation post birth
• The effectiveness of naturopathy in treating skin conditions such as eczema
• The use of deep tissue massage therapy in reducing chronic pain in amputees
• The impact of tai chi on the treatment of anxiety and depression
• The benefits of reflexology in treating stress, anxiety and chronic fatigue
• The role of acupuncture in the prophylactic management of headaches and migraines

Topics & Ideas: Dentistry

• The impact of sugar consumption on the oral health of infants
• The use of digital dentistry in improving patient care: A systematic review
• The efficacy of orthodontic treatments in correcting bite problems in adults
• The role of dental hygiene in preventing gum disease in patients with dental bridges
• The impact of smoking on oral health and tobacco cessation support from UK dentists
• The benefits of dental implants in restoring missing teeth in adolescents
• The use of lasers in dental procedures such as root canals
• The efficacy of root canal treatment using high-frequency electric pulses in saving infected teeth
• The role of fluoride in promoting remineralization and slowing down demineralization
• The impact of stress-induced reflux on oral health
• The benefits of dental crowns in restoring damaged teeth in elderly patients
• The use of sedation dentistry in managing dental anxiety in children
• The efficacy of teeth whitening treatments in improving dental aesthetics in patients with braces
• The role of orthodontic appliances in improving well-being
• The impact of periodontal disease on overall health and chronic illnesses

Tops & Ideas: Veterinary Medicine

• The impact of nutrition on broiler chicken production
• The role of vaccines in disease prevention in horses
• The importance of parasite control in animal health in piggeries
• The impact of animal behaviour on welfare in the dairy industry
• The effects of environmental pollution on the health of cattle
• The role of veterinary technology such as MRI in animal care
• The importance of pain management in post-surgery health outcomes
• The impact of genetics on animal health and disease in layer chickens
• The effectiveness of alternative therapies in veterinary medicine: A systematic review
• The role of veterinary medicine in public health: A case study of the COVID-19 pandemic
• The impact of climate change on animal health and infectious diseases in animals
• The importance of animal welfare in veterinary medicine and sustainable agriculture
• The effects of the human-animal bond on canine health
• The role of veterinary medicine in conservation efforts: A case study of Rhinoceros poaching in Africa
• The impact of veterinary research of new vaccines on animal health

Topics & Ideas: Physical Therapy/Rehab

• The efficacy of aquatic therapy in improving joint mobility and strength in polio patients
• The impact of telerehabilitation on patient outcomes in Germany
• The effect of kinesiotaping on reducing knee pain and improving function in individuals with chronic pain
• A comparison of manual therapy and yoga exercise therapy in the management of low back pain
• The use of wearable technology in physical rehabilitation and the impact on patient adherence to a rehabilitation plan
• The impact of mindfulness-based interventions in physical therapy in adolescents
• The effects of resistance training on individuals with Parkinson’s disease
• The role of hydrotherapy in the management of fibromyalgia
• The impact of cognitive-behavioural therapy in physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic pain
• The use of virtual reality in physical rehabilitation of sports injuries
• The effects of electrical stimulation on muscle function and strength in athletes
• The role of physical therapy in the management of stroke recovery: A systematic review
• The impact of pilates on mental health in individuals with depression
• The use of thermal modalities in physical therapy and its effectiveness in reducing pain and inflammation
• The effect of strength training on balance and gait in elderly patients

Topics & Ideas: Optometry & Opthalmology

• The impact of screen time on the vision and ocular health of children under the age of 5
• The effects of blue light exposure from digital devices on ocular health
• The role of dietary interventions, such as the intake of whole grains, in the management of age-related macular degeneration
• The use of telemedicine in optometry and ophthalmology in the UK
• The impact of myopia control interventions on African American children’s vision
• The use of contact lenses in the management of dry eye syndrome: different treatment options
• The effects of visual rehabilitation in individuals with traumatic brain injury
• The role of low vision rehabilitation in individuals with age-related vision loss: challenges and solutions
• The impact of environmental air pollution on ocular health
• The effectiveness of orthokeratology in myopia control compared to contact lenses
• The role of dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, in ocular health
• The effects of ultraviolet radiation exposure from tanning beds on ocular health
• The impact of computer vision syndrome on long-term visual function
• The use of novel diagnostic tools in optometry and ophthalmology in developing countries
• The effects of virtual reality on visual perception and ocular health: an examination of dry eye syndrome and neurologic symptoms

Topics & Ideas: Pharmacy & Pharmacology

• The impact of medication adherence on patient outcomes in cystic fibrosis
• The use of personalized medicine in the management of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
• The effects of pharmacogenomics on drug response and toxicity in cancer patients
• The role of pharmacists in the management of chronic pain in primary care
• The impact of drug-drug interactions on patient mental health outcomes
• The use of telepharmacy in healthcare: Present status and future potential
• The effects of herbal and dietary supplements on drug efficacy and toxicity
• The role of pharmacists in the management of type 1 diabetes
• The impact of medication errors on patient outcomes and satisfaction
• The use of technology in medication management in the USA
• The effects of smoking on drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics: A case study of clozapine
• Leveraging the role of pharmacists in preventing and managing opioid use disorder
• The impact of the opioid epidemic on public health in a developing country
• The use of biosimilars in the management of the skin condition psoriasis
• The effects of the Affordable Care Act on medication utilization and patient outcomes in African Americans

Topics & Ideas: Public Health

• The impact of the built environment and urbanisation on physical activity and obesity
• The effects of food insecurity on health outcomes in Zimbabwe
• The role of community-based participatory research in addressing health disparities
• The impact of social determinants of health, such as racism, on population health
• The effects of heat waves on public health
• The role of telehealth in addressing healthcare access and equity in South America
• The impact of gun violence on public health in South Africa
• The effects of chlorofluorocarbons air pollution on respiratory health
• The role of public health interventions in reducing health disparities in the USA
• The impact of the United States Affordable Care Act on access to healthcare and health outcomes
• The effects of water insecurity on health outcomes in the Middle East
• The role of community health workers in addressing healthcare access and equity in low-income countries
• The impact of mass incarceration on public health and behavioural health of a community
• The effects of floods on public health and healthcare systems
• The role of social media in public health communication and behaviour change in adolescents

Examples: Healthcare Dissertation & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a healthcare-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various healthcare-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Improving Follow-Up Care for Homeless Populations in North County San Diego (Sanchez, 2021)
• On the Incentives of Medicare’s Hospital Reimbursement and an Examination of Exchangeability (Elzinga, 2016)
• Managing the healthcare crisis: the career narratives of nurses (Krueger, 2021)
• Methods for preventing central line-associated bloodstream infection in pediatric haematology-oncology patients: A systematic literature review (Balkan, 2020)
• Farms in Healthcare: Enhancing Knowledge, Sharing, and Collaboration (Garramone, 2019)
• When machine learning meets healthcare: towards knowledge incorporation in multimodal healthcare analytics (Yuan, 2020)
• Integrated behavioural healthcare: The future of rural mental health (Fox, 2019)
• Healthcare service use patterns among autistic adults: A systematic review with narrative synthesis (Gilmore, 2021)
• Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Combatting Burnout and Compassionate Fatigue among Mental Health Caregivers (Lundquist, 2022)
• Transgender and gender-diverse people’s perceptions of gender-inclusive healthcare access and associated hope for the future (Wille, 2021)
• Efficient Neural Network Synthesis and Its Application in Smart Healthcare (Hassantabar, 2022)
• The Experience of Female Veterans and Health-Seeking Behaviors (Switzer, 2022)
• Machine learning applications towards risk prediction and cost forecasting in healthcare (Singh, 2022)
• Does Variation in the Nursing Home Inspection Process Explain Disparity in Regulatory Outcomes? (Fox, 2020)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. This is an important thing to keep in mind as you develop your own research topic. That is to say, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

Need more help?

If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your healthcare dissertation or thesis, check out Topic Kickstarter service below.

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15 Comments

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Please can someone help me with research topics in public health ?

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I would like a topic thought around first-line support for Gender-Based Violence for survivors or one related to prevention of Gender-Based Violence

Please can I be helped with a master’s research topic in either chemical pathology or hematology or immunology? thanks

Can u please provide me with a research topic on occupational health and safety at the health sector

Good day kindly help provide me with Ph.D. Public health topics on Reproductive and Maternal Health, interventional studies on Health Education

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May you assist me in finding a research topic on nutrition,physical activity and obesity. On the impact on children

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151+ Public Health Research Topics [Updated 2024]

The important area of public health research is essential to forming laws, influencing medical procedures, and eventually enhancing community well-being. As we delve into the vast landscape of public health research topics, it’s essential to understand the profound impact they have on society.

This blog aims to provide a comprehensive guide to selecting and understanding the diverse array of public health research topics.

Overview of Public Health Research Topics

Table of Contents

Public health research encompasses a wide range of subjects, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field. From epidemiology and health policy to environmental health and infectious diseases, researchers navigate through various dimensions to address complex health challenges.

Each category holds its own significance, contributing to the overall understanding of public health dynamics.

Key Considerations in Selecting Public Health Research Topics

• Current Relevance: Assess the timeliness of potential topics by considering recent health trends, emerging issues, and societal concerns.
• Impact on Public Health: Evaluate the potential impact of the research on improving health outcomes, addressing disparities, or influencing policy and interventions.
• Feasibility and Resources: Gauge the practicality of conducting research on a particular topic, considering available resources, data accessibility, and research infrastructure.
• Ethical Considerations: Scrutinize the ethical implications of the research, ensuring it aligns with ethical standards and guidelines, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations or sensitive topics.

Top 151+ Public Health Research Topics

Epidemiology.

• The Impact of Social Determinants on Disease Outcomes
• Patterns and Trends in Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Investigating Health Disparities among Different Ethnic Groups
• Childhood Obesity and its Long-Term Health Consequences
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Contact Tracing in Disease Control

Health Policy

• Universal Healthcare: Comparative Analysis of Global Models
• The Role of Telemedicine in Improving Healthcare Access
• Evaluating Mental Health Policies and Their Impact on Communities
• Assessing the Impact of Affordable Care Act on Public Health
• Vaccine Policies and Public Perception: A Comprehensive Study

Environmental Health

• Climate Change and Health: Adapting to the Challenges
• Air Quality and Respiratory Health in Urban Environments
• Waterborne Diseases and Strategies for Safe Water Supply
• Occupational Health Hazards: A Comprehensive Workplace Analysis
• The Impact of Green Spaces on Mental Health in Urban Areas

Infectious Diseases

• Antimicrobial Resistance: Strategies for Mitigation
• Vaccination Strategies and Herd Immunity
• Global Health Security: Preparedness for Pandemics
• The Impact of Vector-Borne Diseases on Public Health
• Emerging Trends in Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

Chronic Diseases

• Lifestyle Interventions for Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases
• Genetic Factors in the Development of Cancer: A Comprehensive Study
• Aging and Health: Addressing the Healthcare Needs of the Elderly
• Diabetes Prevention Programs: Efficacy and Implementation
• Mental Health in Chronic Disease Patients: Bridging the Gap

Maternal and Child Health

• Maternal Mortality: Understanding Causes and Prevention
• The Impact of Breastfeeding on Infant Health and Development
• Childhood Immunization: Barriers and Strategies for Improvement
• Teenage Pregnancy and Its Long-Term Health Consequences
• Mental Health Support for Postpartum Women: Current Gaps and Solutions

Health Behavior and Promotion

• Smoking Cessation Programs: Effectiveness and Challenges
• Physical Activity Promotion in Schools: Strategies for Success
• Nutrition Education and Its Impact on Healthy Eating Habits
• Mental Health Awareness Campaigns: Assessing Public Perceptions
• The Role of Social Media in Health Promotion

Global Health

• Assessing the Impact of International Aid on Global Health
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Programs in Developing Countries
• The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Global Health
• Communicable Disease Control in Refugee Populations
• Global Access to Essential Medicines: Challenges and Solutions

Community Health

• Community-Based Participatory Research: Best Practices and Challenges
• The Impact of Community Health Workers on Health Outcomes
• Health Literacy and its Relationship to Health Disparities
• Assessing the Effectiveness of Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions
• Community Resilience in the Face of Public Health Crises

Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety

• Hospital-Acquired Infections: Strategies for Prevention
• Patient Safety Culture in Healthcare Organizations
• Quality Improvement Initiatives in Primary Care Settings
• Healthcare Accreditation: Impact on Patient Outcomes
• Implementing Electronic Health Records: Challenges and Benefits

Mental Health

• Stigma Reduction Programs for Mental Health Disorders
• Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care Settings
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: Long-Term Implications
• Mental Health in the Workplace: Strategies for Employee Well-being
• Suicide Prevention Programs: Effectiveness and Outreach

Health Disparities

• Racial Disparities in Healthcare: Addressing Systemic Inequities
• LGBTQ+ Health Disparities and Inclusive Healthcare Practices
• Socioeconomic Status and Access to Healthcare Services
• Geographical Disparities in Health: Rural vs. Urban
• The Impact of Gender on Health Outcomes and Access to Care

Public Health Education

• Evaluation of Public Health Education Programs
• Innovative Approaches to Teaching Public Health Concepts
• Online Health Education Platforms: Opportunities and Challenges
• Interdisciplinary Training in Public Health: Bridging Gaps
• Continuing Education for Public Health Professionals: Current Landscape

Digital Health

• The Role of Wearable Devices in Health Monitoring
• Telehealth Adoption: Barriers and Opportunities
• Health Apps for Chronic Disease Management: User Perspectives
• Blockchain Technology in Healthcare: Privacy and Security Implications
• Artificial Intelligence in Disease Diagnosis and Prediction

Health Economics

• Cost-Effectiveness of Preventive Health Interventions
• The Impact of Healthcare Financing Models on Access to Care
• Pharmaceutical Pricing and Access to Essential Medicines
• Economic Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs
• Health Insurance Coverage and Health Outcomes: A Global Perspective

Innovations in Public Health

• 3D Printing in Healthcare: Applications and Future Prospects
• Gene Editing Technologies and their Ethical Implications
• Smart Cities and Public Health: Integrating Technology for Well-being
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: Potential for Disease Treatment
• The Role of Drones in Public Health: Surveillance and Intervention

Food Safety and Nutrition

• Foodborne Illness Outbreaks: Investigating Causes and Prevention
• Sustainable Food Systems: Implications for Public Health
• Nutritional Interventions for Malnutrition in Developing Countries
• Food Labeling and Consumer Understanding: A Critical Review
• The Impact of Fast Food Consumption on Public Health

Substance Abuse

• Opioid Epidemic: Strategies for Prevention and Treatment
• Harm Reduction Approaches in Substance Abuse Programs
• Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Public Health Outcomes
• Smoking and Mental Health: Exploring the Connection
• Novel Psychoactive Substances: Emerging Threats and Strategies

Occupational Health

• Workplace Stress and Mental Health: Intervention Strategies
• Occupational Hazards in Healthcare Professions: A Comparative Analysis
• Ergonomics in the Workplace: Improving Worker Health and Productivity
• Night Shift Work and Health Consequences: Addressing Challenges
• Occupational Health and Safety Regulations: A Global Overview

Disaster Preparedness and Response

• Pandemic Preparedness and Lessons from COVID-19
• Natural Disasters and Mental Health: Post-Traumatic Stress
• Emergency Response Systems: Improving Timeliness and Efficiency
• Communicating Health Risks During Emergencies: Public Perception
• Collaborative Approaches to Disaster Response in Global Health

Cancer Research

• Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Current Advancements
• Cancer Screening Programs: Efficacy and Challenges
• Environmental Factors and Cancer Risk: Exploring Connections
• Survivorship Care Plans: Enhancing Quality of Life after Cancer
• Integrative Therapies in Cancer Care: Complementary Approaches

Sexual and Reproductive Health

• Access to Contraception in Developing Countries: Challenges and Solutions
• Comprehensive Sex Education Programs: Impact on Teen Pregnancy
• Reproductive Health Rights: Global Perspectives and Challenges
• Infertility Treatment: Ethical Considerations and Societal Impact
• Maternal and Child Health in Conflict Zones: Addressing Challenges

Cardiovascular Health

• Hypertension Prevention Programs: Strategies and Effectiveness
• Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Gender-Specific Risk Factors
• Innovations in Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
• Artificial Heart Technology: Advancements and Ethical Implications
• Impact of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health: A Global Concern

Social Determinants of Health

• Educational Attainment and Health Outcomes: Exploring Links
• Income Inequality and its Impact on Population Health
• Social Support Networks and Mental Health: A Comprehensive Study
• Neighborhood Environments and Health Disparities
• Employment and Health: The Interplay of Work and Well-being

Genomics and Public Health

• Population Genomics and its Implications for Public Health
• Genetic Counseling and Education: Empowering Individuals and Families
• Ethical Issues in Genetic Research: Privacy and Informed Consent
• Pharmacogenomics: Tailoring Drug Therapies to Individual Genotypes
• Gene-Environment Interactions in Disease Risk: Unraveling Complexities

Public Health Ethics

• Informed Consent in Public Health Research: Current Practices
• Ethical Challenges in Global Health Research: Balancing Priorities
• Confidentiality in Public Health Reporting: Striking the Right Balance
• Research with Vulnerable Populations: Ethical Considerations
• Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in Healthcare

Health Communication

• The Role of Media in Shaping Public Health Perceptions
• Health Literacy Interventions: Improving Understanding of Health Information
• Social Media Campaigns for Public Health Promotion: Best Practices
• Tailoring Health Messages for Diverse Audiences: Cultural Competency
• Risk Communication in Public Health Emergencies: Lessons Learned

Nutrigenomics

• Personalized Nutrition Plans based on Genetic Makeup
• Impact of Nutrigenomics on Chronic Disease Prevention
• Ethical Considerations in Nutrigenomics Research
• Public Perceptions of Nutrigenomic Testing: A Qualitative Study
• Integrating Nutrigenomics into Public Health Policies

Public Health and Artificial Intelligence

• Predictive Analytics in Disease Surveillance: Harnessing AI for Early Detection
• Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven Health Decision Support Systems
• Machine Learning in Epidemiology: Predicting Disease Outbreaks
• Natural Language Processing in Public Health: Text Mining for Insights
• Bias in AI Algorithms: Implications for Health Equity

Health Disparities in Aging

• Geriatric Health Disparities: Bridging the Gap in Elderly Care
• Ageism in Healthcare: Addressing Stereotypes and Discrimination
• Social Isolation and Health Consequences in Aging Populations
• Access to Palliative Care for Older Adults: A Global Perspective
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Ethnic Disparities in Diagnosis and Treatment
• Loneliness and Mental Health in the Elderly: Interventions and Support

Research Methodologies in Public Health

Public health research employs various methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Each method brings its own strengths to the research process, allowing researchers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues they investigate. 

Community-based participatory research is another valuable approach, emphasizing collaboration with communities to address their specific health concerns.

Challenges and Opportunities in Public Health Research

While public health research is immensely rewarding, it comes with its own set of challenges. Funding constraints, ethical dilemmas, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of technology pose both obstacles and opportunities. 

Researchers must navigate these challenges to ensure their work has a meaningful impact on public health.

In conclusion, public health research topics are diverse and dynamic, reflecting the complex nature of the field. As researchers embark on their journeys, they must carefully consider the relevance, impact, and ethical implications of their chosen topics. 

The collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of public health research positions it as a powerful tool in addressing the health challenges of our time. By exploring the depths of these topics, researchers contribute to the collective effort to build healthier and more equitable communities. 

As we move forward, a continued exploration of relevant public health research topics is essential for shaping the future of healthcare and improving the well-being of populations worldwide.

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The Fogarty International Center and its NIH partners invest in research on a variety of topics vital to global health. For each of these global health research topics, find an in-depth collection of news, resources and funding from Fogarty, the NIH, other U.S. government agencies, nongovernmental organizations and others.

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Nih research matters.

December 22, 2020

2020 Research Highlights — Promising Medical Findings

Results with potential for enhancing human health.

With NIH support, scientists across the United States and around the world conduct wide-ranging research to discover ways to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability. Groundbreaking NIH-funded research often receives top scientific honors. In 2020, these honors included one of NIH’s own scientists and another NIH-supported scientist who received Nobel Prizes . Here’s just a small sample of the NIH-supported research accomplishments in 2020.

Full 2020 NIH Research Highlights List

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New approaches to COVID-19

As the global pandemic unfolded, researchers worked at unprecedented speed to develop new treatments and vaccines. Scientists  studied antibodies from the blood of people who recovered from COVID-19 and identified potent, diverse ones that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 . Some antibody treatments have now been given emergency use authorization by the FDA, with many others in development . However, such antibodies—called monoclonal antibodies—are difficult to produce and must be given intravenously. NIH-researchers have been pursuing other approaches, including using antibodies from llamas , which are only about a quarter of the size of a typical human antibody and could be delivered directly to the lungs using an inhaler. Computer-designed “miniproteins” and other antiviral compounds are also under investigation.

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Universal mosquito vaccine tested

Most mosquito bites are harmless. But some mosquitoes carry pathogens, like bacteria and viruses, that can be deadly. A small trial showed that a vaccine against mosquito saliva—designed to provide broad protection against mosquito-borne diseases—is safe and causes a strong immune response in healthy volunteers. More studies are needed to test its effectiveness against specific diseases.

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Machine learning detects early signs of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It results when cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of the bones, breaks down. People with osteoarthritis can have joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Some develop serious pain and disability from the disease. Using artificial intelligence and MRI scans, scientists identified signs of osteoarthritis three years before diagnosis. The results suggest a way to identify people who may benefit from early interventions.

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Advances in restoring vision

Several common eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, damage the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the eye. They can eventually lead to vision loss. Two studies looked at ways to restore vision in mouse models. Researchers reprogrammed skin cells into light-sensing eye cells that restored sight in mice. The technique may lead to new approaches for modeling and treating eye diseases. Other scientists restored vision in blind mice by using gene therapy to add a novel light-sensing protein to cells in the retina. The therapy will soon be tested in people.

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Blood protein signatures change across lifespan

The bloodstream touches all the tissues of the body. Because of the constant flow of proteins through the body, some blood tests measure specific proteins to help diagnose diseases. Researchers determined that the levels of nearly 400 proteins in the blood can be used to determine people’s age and relative health. More research is needed to understand if these protein signatures could help identify people at greater risk of age-related diseases.

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Understanding HIV’s molecular mechanisms

More than a million people nationwide are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. HIV attacks the immune system by destroying immune cells vital for fighting infection. Researchers uncovered key steps in HIV replication by reconstituting and watching events unfold outside the cell. The system may be useful for future studies of these early stages in the HIV life cycle. In other work, experimental treatments in animal models of HIV led to the viruses emerging from their hiding places inside certain cells—a first step needed to make HIV vulnerable to the immune system.

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Test distinguishes Parkinson’s disease from related condition

A protein called alpha-synuclein plays a major role in Parkinson’s disease as well as other brain disorders. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and another disease involving alpha-synuclein, multiple system atrophy, can be similar. Researchers created a test using cerebrospinal fluid that can distinguish between these two diseases with 95% accuracy. The results have implications for the early diagnosis and treatment of these conditions and may help in the development of new targeted therapies.

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Understanding allergic reactions to skin care products

Personal care products like makeup, skin cream, and fragrances commonly cause rashes called allergic contact dermatitis. It’s not well understood how chemical compounds in personal care products trigger such allergic reactions. Scientists gained new insight into how personal care products may cause immune responses that lead to allergic responses in some people. Understanding how compounds in these products trigger immune reactions could lead to new ways to prevent or treat allergic contact dermatitis.

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Our topic pages offer a one-stop-shop for insights, experts, and offerings by areas of interest.

Main Content

Public health - research topics.

The following Research Topics are led by experts in their field and contribute to the scientific understanding of public-health. These Research topics are published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Public Health , as open access articles .

Alcohol-Related Brain Injury: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation

Alcohol-Related Brain Injury (ARBI) is an umbrella term used to describe the damage to the brain because of long-term heavy drinking. The symptoms of ARBI vary, including problems with cognitive functioning such as memory loss, difficulty with famili...

Obesity Across the Life Course

Obesity is a growing health concern in many countries around the world. Coupled with an aging population, there are increasing numbers of patients who live with obesity alongside various co-morbidities.<br/><br/>Obesity at different stages of the li...

Recreational Team Sports: Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Non-Communicable Diseases

Comprehensive research has shown that small-sided football (soccer) practice is an intense, versatile combination of strength, endurance, and aerobic high-intensity interval training. When implemented on a regular basis recreational football training...

How School Health and Nutrition Interventions are Reshaping the Global Public Health Narrative

The value of school health and nutrition interventions is recognised as a critical investment in the development of school-age children and adolescents with 90% of countries currently implementing some form of school health and nutrition (SHN) progra...

International Perspectives on Older Adult Social Isolation and Loneliness

Frontiers in Public Health is excited to announce a Research Topic with the theme "International Perspectives on Older Adult Social Isolation and Loneliness." This collection aims to address the urgent public health challenge posed by the escalating ...

Impact of Poor Air Quality in Schools on Children’s Health and Performance

Air pollution impacts human health, increasing the incidence and progression of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Children are particularly vulnerable to poor air quality owing to immature and developing organ systems, increased pulmonary vent...

How Workplace Behaviors Impact Mental Health: Does Diversity Matter?

The recent unprecedented societal challenges along with the COVID-19 pandemic have opened the door to a new era for mental health at work. Today, more than ever provides an opportunity to highlight the mental health challenges that employees are faci...

Eating Disorders are Caused by Disordered Eating

Eating disorders are thought to be part of the expression of a complex psychiatric disorder, as these disorders are typically accompanied by a wide range of psychiatric symptoms: depression, anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, over-exercising, paranoia...

Reviews in Public Health Expenditure and Performance

Effective allocation and utilization of resources are fundamental to achieving optimal public health outcomes. Health economics provides valuable insights into how financial resources are allocated across different healthcare sectors and their subseq...

Gender Differences in Falls and Mobility Patterns of Older Adults

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalization among older adults. Previous research has identified risk factors for falls, including physiological, psychological, and environmental factors. Ideally, fall prevention would be based on a...

The Role of Nursing in Public Health Promotion and Education

As a society, we face huge challenges in tackling the health and well-being of the population. Nursing staff play a pivotal role in public health promotion and education, serving as advocates, educators, and healthcare providers within various settin...

Learning Interventions and Training: Providing Support during Health Emergencies

Learning interventions and training methods are pivotal in preparing healthcare workers and the public to effectively respond to health emergencies. A knowledgeable and responsive workforce is essential to save lives, reduce suffering, and minimize s...

Environmental Risk Factors in Noncommunicable Diseases: New Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms

Health and well-being promotion and disease prevention are among the main goals of public health. To minimize disease risks and adverse health outcomes it is necessary to recognize risk factors and conditions that impair human health. Increasing evid...

Public Health Promotion and Medical Education Reform, Volume III

This Research Topic is part of the series of " Public Health Promotion and Medical Education Reform":<br/><b><a href=" https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/22168/public-health-promotion-and-medical-education-reform"> Public Health Promotion an...

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The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition, were published in the fall of 2018. Learn what the recommendations are here.

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ACSM is pleased to present the scientific reviews underlying the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines . Health professionals, scientists, community organizations and policymakers can use the papers included in the  ACSM Scientific Pronouncements: Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition  to promote more active, healthier lifestyles for individuals and communities. All papers were published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise . 

• The U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report—Introduction
• Physical Activity Promotion: Highlights from the 2018 PAGAC Systematic Review
• Daily Step Counts for Measuring Physical Activity Exposure and Its Relation to Health
• Association between Bout Duration of Physical Activity and Health: Systematic Review
• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for Cardiometabolic Disease Prevention
• Sedentary Behavior and Health: Update from the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee
• Physical Activity, Cognition and Brain Outcomes: A Review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines
• Physical Activity in Cancer Prevention and Survival: A Systematic Review
• Physical Activity and the Prevention of Weight Gain in Adults: A Systematic Review
• Physical Activity, All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality, and Cardiovascular Disease
• Physical Activity and Health in Children under 6 Years of Age: A Systematic Review
• Benefits of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum: An Umbrella Review
• Physical Activity, Injurious Falls and Physical Function in Aging: An Umbrella Review
• Physical Activity to Prevent and Treat Hypertension: A Systematic Review
• Effects of Physical Activity in Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Umbrella Review

Earlier Papers

• Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults: Guidance for Prescribing Exercise

Guidelines for Physical Activity and Health: Evolution Over 50 Years

Presented as the D.B. Dill Historical Lecture at the 2019 ACSM Annual Meeting, William Haskell, PhD, FACSM, and ACSM past president, presented a timeline of the developing science behind the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.

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• June 3, 2024 | New Research Reveals That Adding Orange Peels to Your Diet Could Improve Heart Health
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New Research Reveals That Adding Orange Peels to Your Diet Could Improve Heart Health

By University of Florida June 3, 2024

Orange peels may significantly benefit cardiovascular health, according to new research from the University of Florida. The study revealed that extracts from orange peels, which are typically discarded as waste, can inhibit the production of harmful chemicals linked to heart disease. These findings highlight the potential of repurposing orange peels into health-promoting ingredients and developing functional foods to improve heart health.

University of Florida research reveals that orange peel extracts may significantly lower cardiovascular disease risk, offering a promising use for this common agricultural byproduct.

New research led by the University of Florida suggests that orange peels could hold a key to better cardiovascular health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people across most racial and ethnic groups.

Recent research has shown that some gut bacteria help develop cardiovascular disease . When they feed on certain nutrients during digestion, gut bacteria produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Levels of TMAO can help predict future cardiovascular disease, according to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic. With help from a $500,000 USDA grant, Yu Wang and her team investigated the potential of orange peel extracts — rich in beneficial phytochemicals — to reduce TMAO and trimethylamine (TMA) production. Scientists tested two types of extracts: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction.

Extraction Process and Findings

To get the polar fractions, scientists used polar and non-polar solvents to extract the orange peel, Wang said.

“If you imagine your salad dressing, anything in the water or vinegar part is the polar fraction; anything in the oil away from water is the non-polar fraction,” Wang said. “The solvents we used were not exactly like water and oil, but they possess similar polarity.”

Yu Wang in a lab at UF/IFAS. Credit: Courtesy, UF/IFAS photography

Results from the study showed that the orange peel non-polar fraction extract effectively inhibited the production of harmful chemicals. Researchers also identified a compound called feruloylputrescine in the orange peel polar fraction extract that also significantly inhibits the enzyme responsible for TMA production.

“This is a novel finding that highlights the previously unrecognized health potential of feruloylputrescine in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Wang, a UF/IFAS associate professor of food science and human nutrition.

Potential Applications and Future Directions

The orange peel finding is significant because 5 million tons of orange peels are produced each year in orange juice production nationwide. Nearly 95% of Florida oranges are used for juice. About half of the peels go to feed cattle. The rest goes to waste. But the Food and Drug Administration considers natural orange peel extracts safe for human consumption. So, Wang hopes to put the peels to better use.

“These findings suggest that orange peels, often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, can be repurposed into valuable health-promoting ingredients, such as diet supplements or food ingredients,” said Wang, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. “Our research paves the way for developing functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing new therapeutic strategies for heart health.”

Reference: “Discovery of a Novel Bioactive Compound in Orange Peel Polar Fraction on the Inhibition of Trimethylamine and Trimethylamine N-Oxide through Metabolomics Approaches and In Vitro and In Vivo Assays: Feruloylputrescine Inhibits Trimethylamine via Suppressing cntA/B Enzyme” by Hana Lee, Gar Yee Koh, Hanna Lee, Priscila Alves, Wallace Yokoyama and Yu Wang, 2 April 2024, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry . DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09005

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Better sleep is linked with lower loneliness levels

The relationship between sleep and loneliness is stronger in younger adults.

A new study to be presented at the SLEEP 2024 annual meeting found that better sleep health was associated with lower levels of loneliness, and this association was stronger among younger adults.

Results indicate that better sleep health was associated with significantly lower total loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. While better sleep health was associated with lower total and emotional loneliness across ages, this association was stronger for younger adults. However, age did not moderate the association between sleep health and social loneliness.

"Loneliness is an urgent public health crisis, and there is a pressing need for providers to better understand and treat it," said lead author and principal investigator Joseph Dzierzewski, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and is vice president of research at the National Sleep Foundation in Washington, D.C. "Our results highlight the important role that sleep plays in understanding loneliness across the adult lifespan. Perhaps efforts to improve sleep health could have a beneficial effect on loneliness, especially for young people."

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, sleep is essential to health. The AASM and the Sleep Research Society recommend that adults should sleep seven hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health, productivity and daytime alertness.

The study involved 2,297 adults with a mean age of 44 years; 51% were male. Participants completed an online sleep health questionnaire and loneliness scale. The researchers analyzed the results using correlation and linear regression analyses along with moderation analyses.

In 2023 an advisory from the U.S. surgeon general warned about a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection. It noted that even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately half of U.S. adults reported experiencing measurable levels of loneliness.

According to the authors, efforts and programs that aim to reduce loneliness should include an emphasis on promoting sleep health, especially in younger adults.

"Why younger adults might experience more sleep-related benefits to loneliness than older adults is unknown and intriguing -- certainly worth further investigation," Dzierzewski said.

The research abstract was published recently in an online supplement of the journal Sleep and will be presented Monday, June 3, during SLEEP 2024 in Houston. SLEEP is the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.

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Story Source:

Materials provided by American Academy of Sleep Medicine . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Spencer Nielson, Julia Boyle, Joseph Dzierzewski. 0746 Rested and Connected: An Exploration of Sleep Health and Loneliness Across the Adult Lifespan . SLEEP , 2024; 47 (Supplement_1): A319 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsae067.0746

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Mental health, lack of workplace support are leading factors driving nurses from jobs: Study

by New York University

Coworker and employer support are strong predictors of nurses planning to stay in their jobs, while symptoms of depression are linked to nurses planning to leave, according to a study conducted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by researchers at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing.

The research, published in the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing , examines both pandemic-related factors and the overall work environment for nurses and can help organizational leaders improve their support for and retention of their nursing workforce.

"Coming out of the pandemic, the mental health of health care workers has been top of mind," said Amy Witkoski Stimpfel, assistant professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing and the study's senior author. "Our findings suggest that focusing on organizational support and mental health can improve nurses' well-being and increase the chances that they will stay in their jobs."

The intense working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated stress and burnout among nurses. Many left their jobs, stretching a workforce struggling with shortages even thinner. Inadequate nurse staffing and turnover are linked with a range of negative outcomes, including worse quality of care for patients, poor health for fellow nurses, and increased costs for health systems.

Witkoski Stimpfel and her co-author, NYU Meyers doctoral student Kathryn Leep-Lazar, wanted to understand what characteristics of a nurse's job, work environment, and mental health predict whether they intend to stay in their role. The researchers surveyed 629 U.S. nurses across 36 states during the summer of 2020—when many parts of the country were experiencing surges of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

Witkoski Stimpfel and Leep-Lazar gathered information about the nurses' workplaces, including the type of setting, schedule, patients per nurse, and length of shift, as well as COVID-specific factors, such as whether nurses were caring for COVID patients and had adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). They also collected demographic information and measures of anxiety, sleep issues, and depression, comparing all of these factors with nurses' intent to stay in their jobs one year from now.

The researchers found that the strongest factor predicting whether nurses intended to remain in their roles was having support systems at work. Nurses who felt supported by their colleagues were nearly twice as likely to want to stay in their jobs compared with those who didn't feel as supported, while nurses who felt supported by their organization were 2.4 times more likely to say they would stay. Workplace support was an even stronger predictor of nurses' intentions to stay in their jobs than COVID-specific factors, including pandemic preparedness, PPE shortages, and whether nurses were directly caring for COVID-19 patients.

In contrast, symptoms of depression were associated with nurses planning to leave their jobs within the year. Nurses with mild symptoms of depression were 50% less likely to say they plan to stay in their jobs compared to those with minimal symptoms, while nurses with moderate or severe symptoms of depression were 73% less likely.

"We know that there is significant overlap between depression and occupational burnout, with both capturing feelings of fatigue and a lack of energy. It's possible that many of the nurses reporting depressive symptoms were in fact experiencing exhaustion and burnout from elevated workloads and long hours during the pandemic," added Witkoski Stimpfel.

"Considering that 60% of the nurses we surveyed reported some level of depression, organizational leaders need to be paying attention to the mental health of this critical workforce," said Leep-Lazar, the study's first author.

The researchers encourage employers to examine their mental health resources—such as employee assistance programs and therapy covered by employer-sponsored benefits—available to nurses. In addition to providing support for individual nurses, the researchers urge organizations to create healthy work environments that foster support among staff and have policies and practices that protect nurses against depression , burnout, and other poor mental health outcomes.

"The good news is that the factors we identified—workplace support and mental health —can be addressed through targeted efforts, some of which may already be in place," said Witkoski Stimpfel.

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Anti-semitic attitudes of the mass public: estimates and explanations based on a survey of the moscow oblast.

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JAMES L. GIBSON, RAYMOND M. DUCH, ANTI-SEMITIC ATTITUDES OF THE MASS PUBLIC: ESTIMATES AND EXPLANATIONS BASED ON A SURVEY OF THE MOSCOW OBLAST, Public Opinion Quarterly , Volume 56, Issue 1, SPRING 1992, Pages 1–28, https://doi.org/10.1086/269293

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In this article we examine anti-Semitism as expressed by a sample of residents of the Moscow Oblast (Soviet Union). Based on a survey conducted in 1920, we begin by describing anti-Jewish prejudice and support for official discrimination against Jews. We discover a surprisingly low level of expressed anti-Semitism among these Soviet respondents and virtually no support for state policies that discriminate against Jews. At the same time, many of the conventional hypotheses predicting anti-Semitism are supported in the Soviet case. Anti-Semitism is concentrated among those with lower levels of education, those whose personal financial condition is deteriorating, and those who oppose further democratization of the Soviet Union. We do not take these findings as evidence that anti-Semitism is a trivial problem in the Soviet Union but, rather, suggest that efforts to combat anti-Jewish movements would likely receive considerable support from ordinary Soviet people.

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What You Need to Know About Marijuana Rescheduling

by Victoria Litman, M.Div., J.D., LL.M.

On May 21, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) signed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in the Federal Register. This publication kicks off a 62-day comment period on a rule that would move marijuana to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), classifying it as a substance with “a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” The process of rescheduling may be long and is unlikely to create a pathway to federal compliance for state-legal marijuana businesses without further federal legislation. Ultimately, Congress likely will need to clarify the division of federal and state regulatory powers over cannabis.

The CSA is a federal law that classifies substances into schedules based on their potential for medical use and risk of abuse. The cannabis plant has been in the most restrictive category, Schedule 1, since the CSA was enacted in 1970. In the 2018 Farm Bill , cannabis plants with less than .3% concentration of the major psychoactive component of marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), were removed from the CSA and legally defined as hemp. All other cannabis remains Schedule 1 , defined as a substance with no currently accepted medical use (CAMU), lack of safety for use under medical supervision, and a high potential for abuse.

Despite ongoing cannabis restrictions on the federal level, since 1996 many states have enacted legislation regulating and taxing medical and recreational marijuana and creating dispensaries for patients and consumers to access it. For several decades, these state-regulated businesses have existed under the shadow of federal illegality. Marijuana’s Schedule 1 status has impacted the economic feasibility of these businesses due to punitive federal taxes , significant burdens on banks willing to work with cannabis businesses, and no legal interstate commerce.

Since 2014, Congress has passed spending amendments that limit the use of federal funds for enforcement against state-compliant medical marijuana programs. From 2009-2018, several U.S. Attorneys General issued memos directing federal prosecutors to limit enforcement against all state-compliant marijuana businesses, medical and recreational. In 2018 Attorney General Jeff Sessions technically rescinded prior memos and encouraged prosecution of federally illegal marijuana activity; however, in practice there has been limited federal enforcement.

In the fall of 2022, President Biden issued a statement on marijuana reform, announcing federal pardons for some federal crimes involving marijuana and urging state governors to pardon state-level cannabis possession charges. Biden also asked the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Attorney General to initiate the administrative process to review the scheduling of cannabis under the CSA.

In August 2023,  HHS sent an official recommendation to the DEA that it categorize marijuana under the less restrictive Schedule 3 category. The recommendation became public in early 2024 as a result of a lawsuit . Notably, the recommendation was the first statement from a federal government agency that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use and a low potential for abuse. An April 11, 2024 opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) asserted that DEA must “accord significant deference” to HHS’ recommendation until the beginning of formal rulemaking. However, the NPRM notes that DEA has not decided how marijuana should be scheduled.

Now that the NPRM has been published, individuals and businesses may submit comments on the proposal until July 22nd. Interested persons (defined in regulations ) may request an administrative law hearing before June 20th in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.

Once comments are received and after any hearing, the DEA will review all evidence and generally respond to comments when publishing the final rule. There is no set statutory time for this process but in other situations, for example telemedicine , it has taken over a year.

Once published, the DEA’s final rule will not go into effect for 30 days, during which time aggrieved parties who submitted comments and can demonstrate they have standing can challenge the final rule in court. At least one major opposition group is already fundraising for the legal effort.

The two main issues likely to be challenged are the impact of rescheduling on adherence to United Nations treaty obligations and the way HHS determined that marijuana has a CAMU. For the first time, HHS considered the existing widespread use of medical marijuana under the supervision of health care practitioners within state medical marijuana programs. The OLC’s opinion addresses these issues directly.

A letter from Democratic senators opposing rescheduling and supporting removal of marijuana from the CSA entirely explains that although rescheduling likely provides tax relief, it does not impact criminal justice and immigration issues related to cannabis criminalization. Rescheduling would not be a panacea for the challenges faced by state legal marijuana businesses and would not necessarily make marijuana easier to research .

Schedule 3 drugs must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA,) prescribed by a doctor, and distributed by a pharmacy. Thus, none of the existing state-regulated marijuana dispensaries would be able to comply without extreme cost or further regulation or legislation. Another Attorney General’s memo is expected to clarify enforcement priorities against marijuana-related businesses that are legal in the state, but federally non-compliant.

I have previously written that no matter what happens with rescheduling, Congress will need to clarify the division of federal and state regulatory powers over cannabis. Congress must specify that FDA’s jurisdiction over cannabis should be no more than that over alcohol and designate cannabis in food as “generally recognized as safe.” These, and other FDA-related fixes, already drafted as part of proposed legislation, the States Reform Act , would create legal pathways for existing state-licensed marijuana operators to be in compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act . By doing so, Congress could reduce unnecessary spending on unfeasible federal enforcement and preserve limited federal resources to evaluate clinical research on cannabis-derived drugs . Thus, even if marijuana is moved to Schedule 3, federal legislation is necessary. The only question is how long it will take Congress to act.

Victoria Litman M.Div, J.D., LL.M. is a nonprofit tax lawyer focused on the emerging cannabis and psychedelic tax exempt sectors and an adjunct law professor. She is also an Affiliated Researcher of the Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation (POPLAR) at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School.

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The Petrie-Flom Center staff often posts updates, announcements, and guests posts on behalf of others.

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