In order for life-saving research to continue, it is important that supporters keep Congress, and the general public, aware of the issues at stake and the impact decisions will have. APS
’s Advocacy Center helps you to stay informed and become a science advocate.
Respond to these active alerts to make your voice heard today.
Six points to keep in mind whenever talking to your legislators or their staff.
Before going into a meeting, make sure you know a bit about your legislator and about your opposition.
Talking points for the value of biomedical research.
There are many ways to get started advocating for science issues. Here are some ideas.
More helpful advocacy resources.
Before meeting with Members of Congress or their staff, it is helpful to know a few basic facts about the legislator and the district to give you some idea about how to approach your conversation.
Personal meetings in either Washington, DC or home district offices are effective ways to communicate your views and establish relationships with your elected representatives.
If you don’t have the time or opportunity to set up a personal meeting, a phone call to the legislator’s office is another option.
A third option is to write a letter.
The definition of lobbying is generally considered to be communications intended to influence specific legislation.
PDF from The Medical Journal of Australia examining the economic benefits of investing in medical research.
A summary of research by Kevin Murphy and Robert Topel on the economic benefits of medical advancement.
This report from Families USA illustrates the economic benefits of funding medical research.
The National Academies offers articles outlining how basic science has contributed to technological and medical advances.
Breakthroughs in Bioscience is an excellent series of articles telling the stories behind various medical advancements, like the discovery of insulin or how snake venom improved treatment options for hypertension. It is produces by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.
The Association of American Medical Colleges reports on the progress academic medicine is making in research efforts to improve the nation's health.
In this brochure PDF the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology explains why it is not so easy to predict from where the next breakthrough will come.
An explanation from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences on role played by basic research in medical discovery.
A series of fact sheets developed by NIH to outline advances made on a wide array of medical concerns.