The Greenwall Foundation is pleased to announce the latest awards under its Bridging Bioethics Research & Policymaking initiative: three projects that seek to bridge the divide between bioethics research results and policymaking.
Rapid developments in healthcare, science, and technology raise exciting possibilities to advance our health and well-being, but also raise complex ethical dilemmas. Strengthening the relationship between bioethics and policy can help decision-makers navigate conflicting points of view and find the best way forward. Each of the funded projects listed below have proposed a unique approach to effect policy change.
Supporting Ethical Overdose Prediction for State and Local Public Health Authorities
Bennett Allen, PhD (New York University Grossman School of Medicine)
Abstract: Public health authorities are increasingly using predictive analytics to guide overdose prevention. While promising, these novel tools raise ethical concerns, including the potential to worsen disparities, overlook community expertise, or misguide action without proper oversight. This project will seek to translate recent bioethics research into a practical overdose prediction toolkit for state and local health departments. Through two-way engagement with public health leaders and ethicists, Prof. Allen and the team will develop clear, actionable guidance to support the responsible, equitable use of overdose prediction. This toolkit will aim to bridge ethics and policy to ensure predictive tools help, rather than harm, communities most affected by the overdose crisis.
Empowering Independent Patient Advocacy to Drive Meaningful Health Policy Reform
Alexander Naum, JD (Generation Patient)
Abstract: Patients are frequently referenced in policymaking, yet seldom have the opportunity to meaningfully drive policy development from start to finish, widening the gap between bioethics research and the actual needs of communities. This project aims to address this challenge by equipping congressional staff with evidence-based tools, including a practical roadmap for ethically and effectively engaging with patient advocacy groups and clear methods for assessing the organizational independence of private healthcare interests. As a young adult patient-led organization, the team at Generation Patient seeks to ensure that policymakers have the necessary tools and resources to engage meaningfully with the current and next generation of patients.
Strengthening Bioethics in the Medicaid Benefit for Children at End of Life
Meaghann Weaver, MD, PhD (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)
Abstract: The Affordable Care Act allowed children to access curative and hospice services concurrently. Medicaid benefits exist to expand services and cover costs during pediatric end-of-life care. However, these benefits are complicated to interpret, cumbersome to access, and inconsistent between states. This results in Medicaid benefits for children with life-shortening diagnoses being under-utilized with impact to families. This project will aim to generate the following deliverables: 1) modify an existing pediatric hospice toolkit for clinicians, hospice organizations, and policymakers with bioethics content and policy clarity; 2) develop a workshop on bioethics and pediatric hospice concurrent care; and 3) develop virtual trainings on implementing bioethics content into pediatric hospice policy.
The Bridging Bioethics Research & Policymaking initiative was launched in 2022 to support innovative and practical integration of bioethics into policy. The Foundation will announce future Requests for Proposals via its newsletter, social media, and website.
