Moving the needle: Medical research and skin cancer funding
Advocacy News Roundup
By Victoria Houghton, managing editor, May 1, 2021
DermWorld breaks down the latest highlights of AADA advocacy activities at the federal and state legislative and regulatory level.
Every year, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) advocates to secure funding for skin cancer prevention and melanoma research efforts through the federal appropriations process.
Download PDF
You can download a PDF version of this article to share with others.
Collaborates: The AADA is a steering committee member of the One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC) coalition. For over 20 years, OVAC has united the nation’s cancer community to advocate for long-term, sustained funding increases for cancer research and prevention. OVAC channels the passions of millions of Americans who have been affected by cancer.
Advocates: Every year, in addition to advocating on its own, the AADA joins with OVAC in asking leaders on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee to increase funding for cancer research and education.
For the For the fiscal year (FY) 2021, the AADA requested:
CDC skin cancer prevention programs = $5 million
National Institutes of Health (NIH), including National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases (NIAMS) = $43.7 billion
National Cancer Institute (part of NIH funding) = $6.9 billion
Hansens’ Disease Clinics through the Health Resources and Services Administration = Maintaining FY 2020 levels
Defense Funded Melanoma Research = $20 million
Results: In December, Congress passed an omnibus, which is a comprehensive spending package that funds the government through Sept. 30, 2021. All funding for programs advocated for by the AADA were either increased or maintained from FY 2020 levels.
The following highlights funding levels for FY 2020 and FY 2021:
Want to get involved?
Want to learn more about building relationships with state legislators? Academy staff can help. Contact lalbany@aad.org and vpasko@aad.org to learn how you can make the most out of your conversations.
