Yesterday, the Obama Administration released an updated "Strategy for American Innovation" — replacing the strategy last revised in 2011 with one that further leverages information technology to advance the nation.
The strategy, which sets priorities for innovation that can spur economic development, includes the White House's Precision Medicine Initiative and increased investment in high-performance computing. Smart cities and investment in urban technology are another major focus under the plan.
The Precision Medicine Initiative aims to study the health records and DNA of 1 million volunteers. In his fiscal 2016 budget request, the president earmarked $215 million across agencies for the program.
"Precision medicine gives clinicians tools to better understand the complex mechanisms underlying a patient's health, disease, or condition, and to better predict which treatments will be most effective," says a White House fact sheet issued with the updated plan.
The administration also believes that advances in high-performance computing will improve public services and health while also growing the economy. The National Strategic Computing Initiative presents a cohesive, multi-agency strategic vision and Federal investment strategy for advanced computing, says the White House.
The strategy also says that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, digital infrastructure nationwide, and fundamental research need additional investment and focus in the coming years.
For more information, please contact David Logsdon dlogsdon@comptia.org
