NIH 1998 Almanac/The Organization/NIAMS/
National Institute of Arthritis & Musculoskeletal & Skin Diseases: Mission
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) was
established in 1986. It conducts and supports basic, clinical, and epidemiological
research and research training, and disseminates information on many of the most
debilitating diseases affecting the Nation's health. Many of these diseases are chronic.
They afflict millions of Americans causing tremendous human suffering and costing the U.S.
billions of dollars in health care and lost productivity. These diseases include the many
forms of arthritis and numerous diseases of the musculoskeletal system and of the skin.
The institute also conducts and supports basic research on the normal structure and
function of joints, muscles, bones, and skin. Basic research involves a wide variety of
scientific disciplines, including immunology, genetics, molecular biology, structural
biology, biochemistry, physiology, virology, and pharmacology. Clinical research addresses
rheumatology, orthopedics, derma-tology, metabolic bone diseases, heritable disorders of
bone and cartilage, inherited and inflammatory muscle diseases, and sports medicine.
