As we ring in 2022, it’s fitting to reflect on our accomplishments over the last year. NICHD is pleased to share selected highlights from our research, outreach, and collaborative efforts during 2021. These activities illustrate the institute’s continued commitment to research and training to understand human development, improve reproductive health, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, and optimize abilities for all.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continued in 2021, NICHD led research to better address the needs of women, children, and people with disabilities. The results have helped gather evidence for individuals, their families, and healthcare providers to make informed decisions.
Addressing the Needs of Women During the Pandemic
At the beginning of 2021, NICHD Director Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., and colleagues called for greater inclusion of pregnant and lactating people in COVID-19 vaccine research.
Leading Research on COVID-19 Transmission in Schools
NICHD-funded scientists, as part of NIH’s RADx-UP program, are exploring how COVID-19 is transmitted in schools.
Learn how we led research to help students and faculty attend school safely during the pandemic.
Understanding Long COVID in Children
Since the pandemic started, NICHD has led research to study the effects of COVID-19 on children.
Developing & Evaluating COVID-19 Treatment Strategies
NICHD supports and conducts research to identify effective ways to diagnose and treat COVID-19.
Learn about advances on drug treatments and in understanding how the virus infects cells.
Addressing Health Disparities
NICHD has a long history of supporting health disparities research—initially in the context of women’s health and intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities—but also in timely circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn about our research on vaccine distribution and equity, maternal health disparities, and more.
Advancing Research on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDDs) are central to NICHD’s mission since it was established in 1962.
Learn how the institute continues to lead research on IDDs nearly six decades later.
Understanding Contraception, Fertility, and Pregnancy Loss
Promoting reproductive health and supporting healthy pregnancies are key research themes for NICHD.
Improving Therapies and Treatments for Health Conditions
Research supported by NICHD has led to new or improved therapies and treatments for many different health conditions.
Learn about advances in stroke rehabilitation, cerebral palsy treatments, and more.
Advancing Nutrition Research
Understanding the impact of nutrition in pregnancy and infancy can help babies get a healthy start in life.
Learn how NICHD research helps improve our knowledge of nutrition across the lifespan.
Improving Child and Adolescent Health
NICHD is dedicated to helping all children thrive—from birth, to school, and beyond.
Learn about research that improves child and adolescent health.
Establishing New Resources and Technologies
NICHD’s focus on data sharing, new technologies, and research collaboration often leads to advances in a variety of research fields and health conditions.
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