In the final scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones watches helplessly as the Ark of the Covenant, despite his perilous efforts to secure it, is stored in a vast government warehouse, seemingly forgotten. This iconic scene poignantly illustrates the fate of much government-funded non-clinical health research today. Thousands of hours and billions of dollars are spent studying and improving health processes, yet the outcomes of these efforts often end up merely archived, with little consideration for their practical implementation.
Federal health agencies, including Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), play crucial roles in advancing medical research with substantial annual funding aimed at enhancing public health. However, there is a significant disconnect in how these funds are used, especially in translating research findings into clinical practice, which could otherwise lead to improved public health and substantial taxpayer savings.
For instance, in FY 2025, HHS managed a budget of $2.06 trillion among its various components, but the allocation for disseminating and implementing research findings into clinical practice remains underfunded and underprioritized. While AHRQ, bolstered by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF), is designated to disseminate results of government-funded research relevant to clinical effectiveness, only a fraction of these resources actually go towards practical dissemination. Studies funded by AHRQ are listed on their website, but the results of those studies are conspicuously absent from the AHRQ website and the data listing the studies is not easily accessible to be able to figure out if the results were even published in a journal.
The prevailing focus is predominantly on knowledge accumulation rather than application. Despite the extensive research contributions from agencies like NIH, there is a notable lack of investment in programs that could translate these findings into routine clinical practices that prevent diseases, manage chronic conditions more effectively, and reduce overall healthcare costs.
This existing imbalance calls for an urgent realignment of priorities within federal health funding policies. Funds must support not just research but also the infrastructure that enables the translation of this research into practice. Such a shift would not only maximize the return on investment in public health funds but also ensure that research findings are quickly and effectively integrated into clinical practice, enhancing both patient care and public health outcomes.
Policy recommendations should include increasing funding for initiatives such as those under AHRQ’s health literacy programs, which aim to bridge the gap between research findings and clinical application. Additionally, creating incentives for healthcare providers to implement new knowledge and strengthening the links between research institutions and clinical settings could expedite the practical use of research.
To truly revitalize America’s health system, at least 30% of research funds should be earmarked for implementing research findings, including robust support for continuing medical education. This strategic allocation would ensure healthcare professionals are not only aware of the latest research but are also well-prepared to apply these insights in their practice. Such measures would maximize the impact of federal research investments and directly improve health outcomes nationwide.
Aligning this strategic shift with the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) agenda, which stresses increased government efficiency, would further enhance the value of federal health expenditures. By investing in the practical application of research through education and implementation, federal health agencies can achieve more significant health outcomes with the same or even reduced spending, embodying DOGE’s goal of maximizing the efficacy of every taxpayer dollar.
Reevaluating how funds are allocated and emphasizing the implementation of research findings can transform the impact of federal health agencies on public health, ensure more efficient use of taxpayer money, and lead to a healthier population. By adopting these changes, we can ensure that the efforts of our health researchers are fully utilized and not lost in the depths of a government depository.