General Info

National Institutes of Health, also known as NIH, is a medical research agency. It is engaged in conducting and supporting medical research in the areas of disease prevention, as well as in the investigation of causes, treatments and cures for common and rare diseases. The agency undertakes research work related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, arthritis, asthma, allergies and potential agents of bioterrorism. Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., National Institutes of Health has more than 18,000 employees throughout the United States. It has over 6,000 scientists and several laboratories. The agency is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1887, National Institutes of Health maintains one of its locations in Phoenix.