The National Institutes of Health is changing its mission statement due to accusations of promoting "ableism" and discrimination against people with disabilities.
In December 2022, an advisory working group at the NIH identified the current mission statement as offensive for stating the goal of the organization is to apply scientific knowledge "to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability."
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"One immediate action for the NIH to support disability inclusion is to remove the language of ‘reducing disability’ from the NIH mission statement. The current mission statement could be interpreted as perpetuating ableist beliefs that disabled people are flawed and need to be ‘fixed,’" NIH scientists said as part of the working group's final recommendations for organizational reform.
The proposed language of the new mission statement would read, "To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to optimize health and prevent or reduce illness for all people.”
The NIH is seeking public comment on the proposed change by Nov. 24 before the language is adopted.
#NIH is seeking input on a proposed update to our mission statement. It's important that NIH's mission accurately reflects our goal of turning scientific discoveries into better health for all & you can help by submitting your input. Deadline is 11/24: https://t.co/kWzVNu2AW3 pic.twitter.com/QbhArOefFI
— Lawrence A. Tabak (@NIHDirector) August 25, 2023
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"It's important that NIH's mission accurately reflects our goals of turning scientific discoveries into better health for all," acting NIH Director Lawrence A. Tabak posted on the social media platform X.
Tabak replaced former NIH Director Francis Collins after his departure in 2021 in part due to fallout and public criticism of the COVID-19 pandemic response.