A coalition of 66 major health organizations is making a bold case to Congress: investing an additional $7.15 billion in infectious disease and immunology research could transform how we prevent and treat some of America's deadliest health threats. The push comes as researchers funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) continue delivering breakthrough treatments for conditions ranging from severe asthma to drug-resistant infections that kill at least 50,000 Americans annually. The funding request represents an 8.7% increase over 2026 levels and reflects growing recognition that infectious diseases, allergies, and antimicrobial resistance demand sustained scientific investment. Without it, experts warn, the nation risks falling behind on emerging health threats while losing momentum on treatments that have already saved millions of lives. What Major Breakthroughs Has NIAID-Funded Research Already Delivered? The case for increased funding rests on a track record of transformative discoveries. NIAID-supported scientists have developed treatments and vaccines for some of the world's most serious diseases, turning conditions that were once death sentences into manageable health challenges. The most recent victory came with the development of the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a respiratory infection that hospitalizes an estimated 160,000 older adults annually in the United States and causes approximately 10,000 deaths. The vaccine is projected to save up to $4 billion in healthcare costs. Beyond RSV, NIAID-funded research has produced major advances across multiple disease areas: - HIV/AIDS Treatment: Antiretroviral agents transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a treatable, chronic condition, fundamentally changing the trajectory of the pandemic. - Food Allergy Breakthroughs: Researchers identified treatments that substantially increase the amount of peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, and wheat that multi-food allergic children as young as 1 year old could safely consume without risking a potentially fatal allergic reaction. - Severe Asthma Management: A monoclonal antibody called mepolizumab, tested through NIAID-funded clinical trials, reduced asthma attacks by more than 25% in children and adolescents with severe asthma. - Infectious Disease Vaccines and Diagnostics: NIAID funding has supported the development of treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tools for tuberculosis, Ebola, malaria, and other serious infections. - Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention: Scientists developed new technologies to identify geographic hotspots for Aedes mosquitoes, which spread dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, enabling targeted interventions across the U.S. and globally. These achievements underscore why the 66 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and the National Association for Biomedical Research, are urging Congress to prioritize NIAID funding. Why Is Antibiotic Resistance Such an Urgent Funding Priority? One of the most compelling reasons for increased investment is the growing crisis of drug-resistant infections. Each year, antibiotic-resistant infections impact more than 3 million Americans and kill at least 50,000 people in the United States. Treating just the six most common antibiotic resistance threats costs the U.S. healthcare system more than $4.6 billion annually. The stakes are even higher when looking ahead. Experts project that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could become the leading cause of death globally by 2050 if current trends continue. NIAID-funded research is essential to combating drug resistance and developing new medicines for drug-resistant infectious threats, making this area a critical focus for the proposed funding increase. How to Support the Nation's Infectious Disease Research Workforce Beyond developing new treatments, NIAID funding plays a vital role in training the next generation of public health professionals and researchers. Students in NIAID-funded training programs and laboratories go on to careers in multiple sectors: - Public Health Agencies: Graduates work in federal, state, and local health departments, responding to disease outbreaks and managing population health initiatives. - Clinical Settings: Trained researchers and clinicians bring laboratory discoveries into hospitals and medical practices, translating science into patient care. - Academic Research: Many students continue in university research programs, advancing fundamental science and training the next cohort of scientists. - Industry and Pharmaceutical Development: Others move into private sector roles, helping develop and commercialize new vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. This pipeline of talent is critical to maintaining America's leadership in biomedical innovation and ensuring the nation can respond to current and future disease threats. What Specific Health Conditions Would Benefit From Increased NIAID Funding? The proposed funding increase would support research into a wide range of conditions affecting millions of Americans. Food allergies alone affect 8% of children in the U.S., meaning roughly 2 children in every classroom have a potentially life-threatening allergy. NIAID-funded research is exploring how maternal consumption of peanuts and eggs during pregnancy and breastfeeding might prevent babies from developing allergies in the first place, offering a path toward prevention rather than just management. Asthma represents another major public health burden, affecting 1 in 13 Americans, including 20 million adults and over 5 million children. Recent NIAID-funded advances in monoclonal antibody treatments show promise for reducing severe asthma attacks, but more research is needed to make these treatments accessible and effective for all patients. Autoimmune diseases also stand to benefit from continued NIAID investment. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from one or more autoimmune diseases, including 1.3 million adults with rheumatoid arthritis. NIAID researchers recently discovered a new species of bacteria in the gut that may trigger rheumatoid arthritis, opening entirely new avenues for treatment and prevention. The organizations requesting the funding increase emphasize that NIAID has a unique mandate to better understand, treat, and prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The Institute plays an essential role in addressing the impacts of allergy and asthma on human well-being and infectious threats such as pneumonia, norovirus, Lyme disease, tuberculosis, pandemic influenza, and Valley fever. As Congress considers appropriations for fiscal year 2027, the case for robust NIAID funding rests not just on past achievements but on the urgent health challenges ahead. With drug-resistant infections rising, new infectious diseases emerging, and millions of Americans living with allergies and autoimmune conditions, the investment in infectious disease research represents both a moral imperative and a practical investment in public health security.
