Research recommendations for the HEAL Initiative: A path forward for pain research.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pain Research
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Chronic pain is a significant public health issue in the U.S., affecting 24% of the population and causing widespread disability.
• Current medication options for chronic pain are limited in safety and efficacy, highlighting an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies.
• Non-drug pain management interventions are underutilized, indicating a gap in research regarding their optimal implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present ten research priorities and five core principles developed by an NIH expert working group.
• To guide the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Helping End Addiction Long-term® (HEAL) Initiative's pain research portfolio for the next five years.
• To foster discussion and active engagement within the pain research community regarding future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Convening a working group of external experts in 2024 to assess the NIH HEAL Initiative's progress.
• Analyzing the current state of chronic pain research and treatment.
• Developing a report outlining strategic research priorities and core principles for future funding.

Main Results:

• Identification of ten specific research priorities for chronic pain.
• Establishment of five core principles to guide future NIH HEAL Initiative funding in pain research.
• A strategic plan to advance the development and implementation of effective chronic pain treatments.

Conclusions:

• Chronic pain remains a critical public health challenge requiring intensified research efforts.
• The outlined priorities and principles are designed to significantly enhance the NIH HEAL Initiative's impact on chronic pain research.
• The recommendations aim to accelerate the development of improved treatments for chronic pain conditions over the next five years.