Moving the needle on skin cancer research funding

Every year, we advocate to secure funding for skin cancer prevention and melanoma research efforts through the federal appropriations process.

In March, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (HR 2471) which supports medical research that builds on past innovations, fosters momentum in scientific research, and advances medical knowledge — a top AADA advocacy priority.

In a major advocacy win for the AADA, the final bill report included AADA-supported language that calls for examination of:

“Research that assesses factors contributing to later diagnoses of skin cancer among patients with skin of color, as well as research focused on measures to raise awareness of risk factors for skin cancer and to encourage activities that promote prevention and early detection of skin cancers among patients with skin of color and other underserved populations.”

Additionally, each year, we advocate for multiple funding priorities. 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.

Our funding efforts for those priorities are successful and on track:

• National Institutes of Health = $45 billion (AADA requested $46.1 billion)

• National Cancer Institute = $6.9 billion (AADA requested $6.7 billion)

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases = $656 million (AADA requested $630.3 million)

• National Skin Cancer Prevention Education Program at the Centers for Disease Control = $4 million (AADA requested $5 million)

• Hansen’s Disease Program at Health Resources and Services Administration = $13.7 million (AADA requested $12.2 million)