Translational research: A systems engineer approach

The World Health Organization, in its World Health Report 2000 - Health Systems: Improving Performance said, ldquoThe U.S. health system spends a higher portion of its gross domestic product than any other country but ranks 37 out of 191 countries according to its performance...rdquo National Institute of Health (NIH) established the Common Fund in 2004 to advance interdisciplinary research across institutes and research centers. In 2006 the Congress passed the NIH Reform Act that instructed the NIH to support cross-cutting trans-NIH programs. As a result of the NIH Reform Act, the NIH Institutes and Centers developed specific criteria for Common Fund programs.