Health services research (HSR) plays an important role in understanding how health care is delivered, who has access to care, and how we can improve health outcomes for all. But at a time when the field is facing growing challenges, from uncertainty around research funding to threats to the use of evidence in policymaking, the need for a strong and connected HSR community has never been more important.
At AcademyHealth, we believe that advancing health services research requires more than individual efforts. It requires researchers, policymakers, health care professionals, students, and other partners working together to share knowledge, build relationships, and ensure evidence continues to inform decisions that affect people's lives.
That's why we’re launching a redesigned membership on January 15, 2027. Our vision is to create more accessible pathways to joining AcademyHealth, broaden participation and engagement, and strengthen our collective voice in advancing health services research.
As we prepare for these changes, we want to share why we're taking this step and what it means for the future of our community.
Why a Connected HSR Community Matters
The challenges facing health care are complex, and no single researcher or organization can address them alone. Collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and career stages is essential to advancing research and translating evidence into meaningful change.
Being part of a connected HSR community allows individuals to learn from different perspectives, build professional relationships, and collaborate on solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in health care.
It also gives our field a stronger collective voice. When research funding, scientific independence, and the use of evidence are at risk, coming together allows us to advocate for the resources and policies needed to support health services research.
For example, last August we launched Research Interrupted, a public tracker of every canceled AHRQ grant documenting over 100 grants and more than $140 million in lost committed funding across 32 states, plus the patients and communities each project served.
In the tracker's first 10 days we achieved12 press placements including Politico, STAT News, MedPage Today, The New York Times and Science, reaching an estimated 190 million readers and listeners.
Standing Together for the Future HSR
Over the past year, the HSR community has faced significant challenges, including disruptions to research funding and growing uncertainty about the future of federal support for health research.
Throughout these challenges, AcademyHealth has worked alongside researchers, partners, and advocates to defend the value of evidence and protect the infrastructure that supports health services research.
Through our collective advocacy efforts, we've helped restore more than $55 million in stalled research grants, advocated for the independence of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and worked with partners to protect the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
These efforts demonstrate what is possible when we work together and why growing our community and deepening engagement across the field is essential to addressing the challenges ahead.
What's Changing with AcademyHealth Membership?
As the needs of the HSR community continue to evolve, so must the ways we bring people together.
We're rethinking AcademyHealth membership to make it easier for individuals to join, participate in opportunities across the field, and contribute to the advancement of health services research.
Our upcoming changes will simplify how individuals become members and create new opportunities for participation, whether you're a student beginning your career, a researcher advancing evidence, or a professional working to improve health care.
These changes are about more than membership. They're about investing in the future of our field, supporting the next generation of HSR professionals, and ensuring AcademyHealth continues to be a place where individuals can make meaningful contributions.
What's Next for AcademyHealth Membership?
Our redesigned membership model will officially launch on January 15, 2027.
We'll share more details about the new model, including what these changes mean for current and prospective members, following our December 8 Meeting of Members.
In the meantime, our commitment remains the same: bringing people together to advance health services research, defend the value of evidence, and improve health and health care for all.
We look forward to building a stronger AcademyHealth community, together.