Pathways to Prevention (P2P) Program

The P2P program uses a structured process to identify research gaps in a scientific area of broad public health importance. The program centers around workshops on prevention topics with limited or underdeveloped research and a need for a critical assessment of the evidence.

The P2P program brings together federal agencies, researchers, and community members to:

  • Synthesize the evidence and better understand the current state of the science
  • Identify methodological and scientific weaknesses and gaps and suggest a research agenda
  • Develop an action plan to move the field forward

P2P workshops lead to:

  • Funding opportunities to address important questions
  • Improvements in data resources and methodologies 
  • New collaborative prevention research projects 

You can use P2P workshop publications—like the systematic evidence review, independent panel report with recommendations for future research, and federal partners meeting report—to help fill research gaps.

What's New

New resources from the NIH P2P Workshop: Identifying Risks and Interventions to Optimize Postpartum Health are now available:

  • Federal Partners Meeting Report (PDF)
    This report highlights opportunities and resources to help federal agencies and the research community address the independent panel’s recommendations.
  • Portfolio Review: Data Snapshot (PDF)
    The snapshot describes current NIH research activities in maternal health and maternal morbidity and mortality. It can be used to identify research and funding gaps and opportunities and will serve as a baseline to measure future progress. 

Upcoming Workshop

Coming in 2025: A workshop on management of menopausal symptoms

Menopause is a normal phase of life. However, the experience is different for everyone. More research is needed to help women and their health care providers navigate the menopausal transition and promote well-being through midlife and beyond. ODP is planning a P2P workshop to identify research gaps in this area. Our partners include the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health; National Cancer Institute; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institute on Aging; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; and National Institute of Mental Health. The workshop is tentatively scheduled to take place in late 2025. 

Visit the How the P2P Program Works page to learn more about the workshop planning process and sign up for our listserv to get updates about what’s happening at ODP.

Workshop Planning Process

The P2P program employs a structured process that takes approximately 2 to 3 years to complete. ODP provides leadership, support, funding, and coordination for the program. Partners from across NIH, other federal agencies, content-area experts, and community members help plan each workshop.