I am pleased to be here today for the presentation of the seventh annual Garfield Economic Impact of Medical and Health Research Award. The award honors leaders in the field of economics and other areas who have published outstanding work demonstrating the economic benefits of research.  This is a subject that is very important to me, as many of you already know. Conveying the idea that research contributes to our economy is a key part of Research!America?s call for increased funding and stronger policies in support of medical and health research.  It is not enough that we are aware of and accept the connection between research and the economy.  We have to make a convincing argument to others as well.

This is particularly true in light of the fact that we are in an election year.  More than ever it is important to convince candidates who are running for Congress and for the White House that investing in research is in our best economic interest and that research should be a priority in the policies they support.  We are facing very turbulent economic times.  We have a responsibility to convince the candidates who are running for office that there is an economic value to investing in research.  Certainly medical research will allow us to live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.  We also need to demonstrate that research directly leads to thriving industries, new jobs, and higher wages for American workers.

We need to find new ways to evaluate the economic impact of research and new ways to maximize that impact.  The recipients of the Garfield Award do just that.  They are advancing an important field of study that helps us all make a stronger case for the value of medical research to our country. It is now my pleasure to introduce someone who is very good at making the case for research,  Mary Woolley, the president and CEO of Research!America.

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Back to Research! America Awards at EugeneGarfield.org