The Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) is the lead office at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) responsible for assessing, facilitating, and stimulating research in disease prevention, and disseminating the results of this research to improve public health.

Prevention is preferable to treatment, and research on disease prevention is an important part of NIH's mission. The knowledge gained from this research leads to stronger clinical practice, health policy, and community health programs.

Mission

Our mission is to improve public health by increasing the scope, quality, dissemination, and impact of prevention research supported by the NIH.

We will fulfill this mission by providing leadership for the development, coordination, and implementation of prevention research in collaboration with NIH Institutes and Centers and other partners.

Vision

We will extend its value as a resource to NIH and the broader prevention research community by:

  • Providing guidance in prevention research methodology.
  • Identifying gaps in existing evidence and facilitating coordination of new activities to address those gaps.
  • Promoting quality improvements in the review of prevention research.
  • Increasing the impact and visibility of prevention research.

The ODP Strategic Plan includes activities to carry out our mission and vision, strengthen existing programs, and develop new initiatives to advance prevention research and improve public health.

Organizational Structure

ODP is a part of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI). The mission of DPCPSI is to identify emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, and scientific knowledge gaps that merit further research. In addition to disease prevention, DPCPSI also includes major programmatic offices that coordinate research and activities related to AIDS, behavioral and social sciences, women’s health, and research infrastructure.