Advancing Awareness and Support

The AUA is a leading advocate for improving urologic research. We work with the research and policy communities in several key ways:

• Building and maintaining meaningful relationships with federal funding agencies
• Partnering with patient advocacy groups to maximize impact
• Representing the AUA agenda in political arenas on behalf of urologic research
• Remaining an active voice on legislative issues impacting urologic research

Our current priorities focus on research advocacy to increase funding for bladder health and prostate cancer. Additionally, we also play an important role identifying ways to increase pediatric urology research funding.

Urology Research in Crisis

It’s important to not only know the current state of urology research, but also why our advocacy is more vital now than ever before. The fact is the field of urologic research has been chronically underfunded for more than 15 years. The negative impacts are many:

• Since 2005, funding for urologic research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest funder of biomedical research in the world, is far below the need, and may be decreasing more.
• In the last three years, NIH funding specifically for urologic diseases has seen a reduction from $542 million in 2011 to $510 million in 2014.
• Underfunding is driving talented individuals away from careers in biomedical research, and urologic research in particular, at a time when their work is needed most.
• A growing critical shortage of urologic researchers delays the development of new, innovative treatments for patients with urologic diseases.

Working Toward Positive Outcomes

The AUA’s work and impact continues to grow. The strategic relationships we have developed make us active participants in shaping urology and cancer research funding. Our partnerships include:

• Advisory Committee member of the Friends of NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases). In 2014, the AUA became an advisor for NIDDK’s congressional advocacy coalition in support of funding for NIDDK extramural research.
• Coalition member with the Defense Health Research Consortium. Together, we effectively advocate for congressional funding of the Department of Defense (DoD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). Five of the CDMRP programs include funds for urologic research, the largest funder being the DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program.
• Urologic research expert liaisons. Our Director of Research and our Research Council Chair represent urologic research interests at public meetings for:
  • The NIDDK Advisory Council
  • The National Cancer Advisory Board

Gain deeper insight with these additional resources

• Fact Sheet: Why We Should Pay Attention to Men's Health
• 2019 AUA Summit Backgrounder: Support Federal Funding for Urological Research

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It’s much easier than you think to do your part. Visit the AUA Advocacy Center for updates on alerts and calls to action on this issue.

Useful Resources

• National Cancer Institute
• National Cancer Advisory Board
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• NIDDK Advisory Council
• U.S. Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs