Which agency focuses on research, health improvement, and reducing illness and disability?

• A. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• B. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• C. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• D. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Answer: (A)

The main idea is identifying which federal agency is primarily dedicated to conducting and funding research to improve health and reduce illness and disability. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) fits this description best because its core mission is to advance biomedical knowledge and translate findings into ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease, thereby improving overall health and reducing disability. NIH supports a vast network of researchers, funds numerous scientific studies, and oversees technical training across many medical fields.

In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on preventing disease and protecting public health through surveillance, outbreak response, and health promotion. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety, efficacy, and quality of foods, drugs, and medical devices. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) studies health effects from exposure to hazardous substances and works on risk communication and mitigation. But the description in the question centers on research and active efforts to reduce illness and disability, which is the NIH’s domain.