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Mission

The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) seeks to ensure that every person is born healthy and wanted, that women suffer no harmful effects from reproductive processes, and that all children have the chance to achieve their full potential for healthy and productive lives. The institute also aims to improve the health, productivity, independence, and well-being of all people through optimal rehabilitation.

Interest in Diversity

NICHD was created to improve the health of diverse population that were historically underrepresented in health research such as pregnant women and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, NICHD’s interests in diversity encompass race, ethnicity, gender, ability/disability, language proficiency, health literacy, and sexual orientation in its research portfolio and in its workforce..

Given the rapid growth in the diversity of the U.S. population and the expanding concept of diversity, the most effective way to achieve public health goals for women, infants, children, and families is to employ a culturally diverse, representative workforce. Such a workforce is best equipped to generate new knowledge and form practices and policies that can effectively address the needs of diverse populations. Within this context, NICHD continues to support, conduct, and promote multidisciplinary research with and within diverse populations across the lifespan to understand the unique biological, demographic, developmental, epidemiological, environmental, behavioral, and social characteristics of health and well-being of infants, children, women, and families.

Institute leadership understands that creating a diverse scientific workforce in fields relevant to NICHD’s research portfolio begins by ensuring diversity among those participating in career development and educational programs. NICHD remains committed to supporting the recruitment and training of students and researchers from diverse backgrounds to produce a well-trained, culturally competent. workforce.

Diversity-Targeted Programs
Director's Statement
Diana W. Bianchi, M.D.
Diana W. Bianchi, M.D.
Director's Statement
NICHD is committed to building and sustaining a diverse scientific workforce. Fostering a team of highly qualified scientists from various backgrounds, communities, and perspectives enhances our ability to solve complex health problems. Without diversity, innovation may stagnate and culturally appropriate solutions may never be developed. The application of scientific knowledge derived from basic, biomedical, and behavioral research to improve health across the life course requires a comprehensive approach, which must include individuals from communities that are differentially affected by various diseases and interventions. Furthermore, I believe that a rigorously trained scientific workforce, reflecting the diverse types of communities we serve, promotes the trust and appreciation of the various value systems required to effectively interface with diverse patient populations. To achieve the ultimate goal of optimal health for all children, women, and families worldwide NICHD will continue to place an emphasis on training a diverse workforce.