All these lines of research converge to give us a picture of the factors that can affect an individual's ability to remain healthy or to recover from disease or to function well despite a chronic condition. And that knowledge leads to treatments and other interventions to maintain health throughout the life span. We believe it can accomplish a great deal more with the continued support of Congress and the necessary resources to do so. This money is being used to fund a trans-NIH initiative on adherence to medical and behavioral interventions across a number of diseases and conditions. And as episodes of violence between children mounts, the need for these programs is critical to reducing the overall level of violence.
More research is needed on children and youth at risk.
We need a richer understanding of the social, environmental, psychological, developmental and biological factors involved in risk as well as a deeper understanding of how the factors interact. This is an efficient use of resources and a beneficial mode of operation, because it links areas of related knowledge that might otherwise remain separated. A prime example of benefits of behavioral research has been the identification of factors that aid in protection from disease and that promote recovery from illness. They include certain personal attributes such as optimism, effective strategies for coping with stress, and meaningful sources of social support and affiliation. NIH funding has permitted us to use research wisely, that is, in the combinations that will be most efficient in reaching solutions to typically multifaceted health problems.