Federally Funded Research: State of Play and Importance of Advocacy Caitlin Leach, Manager of Policy and Advocacy, Research!America

1. Caitlin Leach, Manager of Policy and AdvocacyMarch 16, 2014
Federally Funded Research:
State of Play and Importance of Advocacy

2. Overview
• Overview of Research!America
• Current Federal Fiscal Climate
• Public Opinion Matters
• Advocacy and You

3. Research!America’s Mission
Make research to improve
health a higher national
priority

4. 25 Years of Putting
Research on the Public Agenda
• Nonprofit alliance with member organizations
drawn from academia, business, patient
organizations and scientific societies
representing more than 125 million Americans
• Distinguished, all-volunteer board includes
former elected and appointed officials, media
and public relations leaders, and leaders from
alliance member organizations

5. Making Research A Higher Priority

6. In Washington, A Phase Change
• Dysfunction turned into baby
steps — however shaky — of
bipartisanship
• FY14 omnibus demonstrated
bipartisan progress but didn’t
address long-term problems
• Return to regular order will be
tested in FY15 appropriations
process
• We can’t settle for “good under
the circumstances”
Flickr photo by sean dreilinger

7. Congressional Approval:
Still in the Dumps
• Washington Post-ABC News poll: 11% strongly approve of
congressional Democrats; 6% strongly approve of congressional
Republicans
• Gallup: Congress Job Approval Starts 2014 at 13%

8. Research Left Behind
Today is a time of unparalleled scientific
opportunity. But…
• Sequestration is still law.
• Science funding essentially flat for 10 years.
• NIH purchasing power cut by 25% over the last
decade.
• Other nations are ramping up their investments in
research.
We cannot accept this as the new normal

9. Colorectal Cancer Research in Decline
• By 2008, National Cancer Institute at NIH
funding of colorectal cancer research had
increased 39 percent from 2000.
• In that time, there was a 28 percent increase
in NCI research projects related to colorectal
cancer.
• But now…

10. Colorectal Cancer Research in Decline
$245.00
$250.00
$255.00
$260.00
$265.00
$270.00
$275.00
2010 2011 2012
$inMillions
NCI Colorectal Cancer Funding
Source: National Cancer Institute, 2013

11. Advocacy Tool: Public Polling

12. Most Agree that Basic Research
is Necessary
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Even if it
brings no immediate benefits, basic scientific research that advances
the frontiers of knowledge is necessary and should be supported by
the federal government.”
27%
43%
11%
5%
15% Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
Not sure
Source: A Research!America poll of U.S. adults conducted in partnership with
Zogby Analytics, with support from the American Society of Hematology, in November 2013.

13. Do you believe the federal government should increase support for
programs and policies that would increase the number of young
Americans who pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics?
70%
17%
13%
Yes
No
Not sure
Americans Feel Government
Should Encourage STEM Careers
Source: A Research!America poll of U.S. adults
conducted in partnership with JZ Analytics in December 2012.

14. Few Americans Recognize the
National Institutes of Health
9%
19%
6%
3%13%
50%
National Institutes of Health
Food and Drug Administration
HHS/Health Dept.
Centers for Disease Control
Other
Don't know
What is the name of the government agency that funds most of the
medical research paid for by taxpayers in this country? (first volunteered
responses)
Source: Research Enterprise Poll, February 2010
Charlton Research Company for Research!America

15. Very Important for Elected Officials
to Listen to Scientists
In thinking about threats to our health, how important is it that
elected officials at all levels listen to advice from scientists and
public health professionals?
Source: Georgia Global Health Survey, May 2011
Charlton Research Company for Research!America
66%
30%
2% 2%
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important

16. Most Don’t Know Their Elected
Officials’ Positions on Research
How well informed would you say you are about the positions of your
senators and representative when it comes to their support of
medical, health and scientific research?
7%
25%
36%
24%
8%
Very well informed
Somewhat well
informed
Somewhat
uninformed
Very uninformed
Not sure
Source: Your Candidates-Your Health Public Opinion Poll,
October 2011, JZ Analytics for Research!America

17. The public supports strong research
investment, but budget cuts
threaten future cures. Scientific
advocates are well-positioned to
help.

18. To advocate means to speak up, to plead the case of
another or to champion a cause.
It is something that most of us routinely do on behalf of our families,
our neighbors, our friends and ourselves.
Lobbying, in general,
consists of communications
intended to influence
specific legislation.
Advocacy vs. Lobbying
Research!America
does both.

19. • Your right as a
citizen
• Tool to turn the
spotlight on your
issue
• Adding your voice
to the public
agenda
Advocacy Is Democracy in
Action

20. Engage Representatives & Staff
• Build a relationship
• Find common ground
• Solicit support
• Hold elected officials
accountable
• Make an ask; Follow up
• Thank those who
support you

21. In this room, we all know:
• Colorectal Cancer
• is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death
• accounts for 10 percent of cancer deaths in US
• Early detection via colorectal screenings
dramatically improve treatment outlook
• There are over 1 million survivors of
colorectal cancer due to advanced screening
and improved treatments

22. Put a Face on Colorectal Cancer
During your meetings:
• Bring the statistics to life
• Discuss your
experiences
• Raise awareness
• Impact of colorectal
cancer in your
community

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