AHRQ Updates the Agency’s Research Priorities

AHRQ has updated its research priorities, a proactive effort to ensure that the agency’s research investments address the most pressing challenges in healthcare delivery and have the greatest possible impact on patient outcomes. The priority areas guide health services research investigator-initiated grant applications submitted to response to agency Notices of Funding Opportunity.

The priorities are:

• Research on patient safety: As the lead federal agency for advancing patient safety, AHRQ invests in research and implementation projects that bridge the gap between research and the delivery of safer patient care. An important element of this work is research on the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections.
• Research to improve healthcare delivery and practice improvement: AHRQ supports research that advances understanding of how to improve healthcare delivery, with an emphasis on strengthening primary care.
• Research to enhance whole-person healthcare delivery: AHRQ supports research on the delivery of person-centered healthcare. As part of this effort, agency investments are aimed at eliminating health inequities across the life course while emphasizing the needs of older adults and children with complex medical conditions.