Landmark AACOM Report Highlights COM Innovation in Health Research
Published May 04, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations
Federal Policy OME Advocate Osteopathic Representation Research
AACOM’s new report, Research at Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine: Inventory, Analysis and Future Directions, provides the first comprehensive analysis of colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) research, highlighting a growing, mission-driven portfolio aligned with national priorities and community needs. It shows COM researchers advancing patient care, medical education and population health, while outlining opportunities to strengthen impact through pipeline development, expanded collaboration and increased mission-driven funding.
Our nation needs research that improves health where people live and receive care. Research at COMs is community-engaged by design, making it uniquely suited to address real-world health challenges and contribute meaningfully to the national research landscape. This report marks the first time our community’s impact has been measured at this scale—and it shows a field ready to play a much larger role in improving health for all.
- AACOM President and CEO Robert A. Cain, DO
Despite this momentum, the report also highlights a significant gap in federal funding and representation within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), recently covered in Becker’s Clinical Leadership: MD schools receive 42 percent of NIH funding while DO schools receive just 0.1 percent. AACOM has led sustained appropriations efforts to address this inequity. From fiscal years (FYs) 2022–2026, we secured House and Senate report language directing NIH to expand funding for COMs, increase DO representation on advisory councils and study sections (where DOs hold just three of 462 seats compared to 213 held by MDs) and fully integrate osteopathic medicine across all NIH Institutes and Centers.