National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) has contributed in several ways to the development of biostatistics as a discipline. From its establishment soon after World War II, NIH leaders recognized the contributions that biostatisticians would make in fulfilling its research mission. NIH biostatisticians, some in positions of leadership beyond biostatistics, have influenced theoretical developments and applications for more than 50 years. NIH funds have supported development of methods at many universities, as well as graduated training of many of those currently working at universities, companies, and government agencies. Keywords: Jerry Cornfield; Harold Dorn; Sam Greenhouse; Max Halperin; Nathan Mantel; history