[PNWHEALTH] CDC Press Release: CDC Boosts External Research to ProtectAmericans' Health

[Laura C SADDLER]

For Immediate Release
Contact: CDC Media Relations

April 27, 2004
(404) 639-3286

CDC Boosts External Research to Protect Americans' Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announces that it
is committing almost $30 million in new funding to support innovative
public health research aimed at further promoting and protecting the
health of Americans, with an immediate focus on producing a body of
evidence that will help employers make better choices in wellness
programs.  The CDC's new Health Protection Research Initiative aims to
strengthen public health research by encouraging more individuals and
institutions to engage in research that will result in measurable
improvements in public health.  The availability of funds was published
in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts on April 23, 2004.    

The first element of this new research initiative targets projects that
will provide employers with the evidence they need to promote the health
of their workforce.  CDC has found employers need more science-based
evidence to choose the best options among various benefit programs and
workplace health promotion programs.  This part of the new initiative is
not intended to address occupational health and safety issues but to
focus on broad health promotion.  

"We know that there are many steps that all Americans, including
workers, can take to protect their health, such as not smoking, making
healthier food choices, and staying active," said Department of Health
and Human Service Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.  "This new initiative
will help us to better understand just how effective these steps are and
what else can be done to help more Americans make these kinds of
healthier choices." 

CDC expects projects designed to affect health in the workplace will
have a positive economic and health impact.  For example, with more than
60 percent of U.S. adults being overweight or obese, the direct and
indirect costs of diabetes were estimated at nearly $132 billion in
2002, and annual U.S. medical expenditures attributed to obesity are
estimated at $93 billion in 2002 dollars.  The economic cost of obesity
to business, including health, life and disability insurance and paid
sick leave by private sector firms was estimated to be at least $15.4
billion in 2002. 

For this purpose CDC will dedicate up to $14 million to support 20 to 40
grants.  Grant applications will go through an external peer-review
process to gauge their effectiveness in responding to the intent of the
research initiative.  Applications are open to researchers affiliated
with public or private academic or research institutions, eligible
agencies of the federal government, units of state or local government,
and health care organizations.  

"This initiative is a very positive step in our efforts to promote
better health in America.  Despite our best efforts to date, we do not
yet have the research to tell us the best ways to combat a large
proportion of health risks.  With this new program, CDC is investing in
closing the gaps in our knowledge so that we can move toward a time when
all people will achieve their expected life span with the best possible
quality of health," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.

Two additional blocks of funds are aimed at expanding training to
increase the number of individuals and institutions involved in public
health research.  Up to $10 million will support development of a corps
of independent, public health researchers to address national public
health priorities. And up to $4 million is targeted to support
institutions of higher learning to develop training programs that will
prepare highly qualified scientists to lead innovative public health
research in the future.

An additional $1 million has been allocated to establish a Center for
Excellence in Health Promotion Economics.  This new academic research
center would apply economic theory and methods to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of health protection programs in priority areas.

Through this initiative, CDC hopes to engage dozens of new researchers
in understanding the nation's most compelling public health problems and
in developing and evaluating effective solutions that will lead to
measurable improvements in health promotion and protection.    

"Public health research is the essential step to translate scientific
findings into the kinds of health actions that employers and individuals
alike will be willing to take to improve their health and better protect
themselves from emerging infectious, environmental and terrorist
threats," Dr. Gerberding said. 

"We know a great deal, but we need to know more, and we need to increase
the pace with which we develop programs that work.  This research
funding is designed to engage more people in this crucial effort," she
said.    

Research proposals for the workplace and individual training components
are due June 21, while applications for the institutional training and
health economics components are due June 22.  Awards are expected to be
made in September 2004.

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 CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling
diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible
information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living
through strong partnerships with local, national, and international
organizations.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES



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Laura Chisholm Saddler, MPH
Project Coordinator, Oregon AWARE
Oregon Alliance Working for Antibiotic Resistance Education
laura.c.saddler at state.or.us
http://www.healthoregon.org/antibiotics
tel: (503) 731 4024 x257
fax: (503) 731 4798

Oregon Health Services
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 772
Portland, OR  97232