Research

Overview

In 2018, with support from the administration and the U.S. Congress, NIH launched the Helping to End Addiction Long-term® Initiative, or NIH HEAL Initiative®, to provide scientific solutions to the opioid crisis and offer new hope for individuals, families, and communities affected by this devastating crisis. HEAL is a highly collaborative effort that involves close input from NIH program staff and leadership.

Publications and Data: Results of NIH HEAL Research

The concept of open science — ensuring the accessibility of published research to all stakeholders — is a top HEAL priority. All HEAL data must be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR), and the initiative requires all funded researchers to make their HEAL-funded research publications freely accessible to the public immediately.

Research Programs by Focus Area

The HEAL Research Plan resulted from a 1-year consultative effort between NIH and stakeholders. The initiative developed research focus areas that reflect urgent unmet needs across the lifespan, areas of scientific promise, and concrete strategies capable of providing rapid and durable solutions to the opioid crisis.

Translation of Research to Practice for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction

HEAL research aims to expand access to evidence-based treatments in the justice system, diverse communities across the country, recovery organizations, and Indigenous populations. HEAL also funds research on harm reduction, polysubstance use, behavioral interventions, and infectious complications from drug use.

A young adult cancer patient and an older woman

New Strategies to Prevent and Treat Opioid Addiction

HEAL prevention research serves the needs of populations at risk for opioid use disorder including youth, Indigenous communities, and people with co-occurring health conditions such as mental illness. HEAL also funds basic, translational, and clinical research on sleep and circadian rhythms relevant to addiction and health.

homeless young people in center for basic necessities

Enhanced Outcomes for Infants and Children Exposed to Opioids

HEAL research addresses the medical and social needs of individuals across the lifespan, including infants, children, and pregnant women. The initiative supports research to inform clinical care for infants diagnosed with opioid withdrawal syndrome and is monitoring the health effects of early exposure to opioids, other substances, and life experiences.

Novel Therapeutic Options for Opioid Use Disorder and Overdose

HEAL research expands treatment options for people who use drugs by developing new versions of effective medications and novel immunotherapies for opioids and other drugs. The initiative also supports research to scan for emerging opioid threats as well as to better understand and manage oral complications from medications for opioid use disorder.

Clinical Research in Pain Management

Safe, effective, and equitable pain management is a key goal for HEAL. The initiative funds research in healthcare settings and rural regions – as well as on specific conditions such as back pain, co-occurring substance use disorders, and pain related to end-stage kidney disease. HEAL also funds research to improve the ability to test new pain treatments in clinical trials.

Preclinical and Translational Research in Pain Management

HEAL research aims to encourage industry interest in developing new pain medications. This research funds individual scientists and teams to search for new targets as well as test and optimize potential new medications. The initiative also develops various technologies for pain management and provides research tools that mimic human biology and body joints commonly involved in pain.

Cross-Cutting Research

HEAL supports research cutting across multiple scientific disciplines, including data science, research on approaches to combat stigma, workforce development, and patient and community engagement efforts. The HEAL small business program supports research to harness innovation across the country.