The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Strategic Vision Implementation for Health Equity Research

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides global leadership for a research, training, and education program to promote the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases and enhance the health of all individuals so that they can live longer and more fulfilling lives. Inherent in this mission is the commitment to advance health equity research as an avenue for enhancing the health of all individuals. Additionally, the four goals and eight research objectives of the NHLBI Strategic Vision directly support the commitment to health equity. In this article, we present selected examples of the NHLBI Strategic Vision implementation approaches for advancing health equity research in our mission areas of heart, lung, and blood diseases. Examples of diseases for which the burden of health inequities and our strategic vision implementation approaches are discussed include hypertension, heart failure, vascular dementia, asthma, and sickle cell disease. Examples are provided of new avenues of Institute-solicited research to stimulate and address compelling scientific questions and critical challenges to advance health equity. We also highlight the emerging fields of implementation science and predictive analytics as important opportunities to accelerate the translation of discovery science into health impact for all and to advance health equity.