Benefits of basic research from the Superfund Research Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-109
Author(s):  
William A. Suk ◽  
Michelle L. Heacock ◽  
Brittany A. Trottier ◽  
Sara M. Amolegbe ◽  
Maureen D. Avakian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
The Body ◽  
Transdisciplinary Research ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Research Projects

AbstractThe National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Hazardous Substances Basic Research and Training Program [Superfund Research Program (SRP)] funds transdisciplinary research projects spanning the biomedical and environmental sciences to address issues related to potentially hazardous substances. We used a case study approach to identify how SRP-funded basic biomedical research has had an impact on society. We examined how transdisciplinary research projects from the SRP have advanced knowledge and led to additional clinical, public health, policy, and economic benefits. SRP basic biomedical research findings have contributed to the body of knowledge and influenced a broad range of scientific disciplines. It has informed the development of policies and interventions to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants to improve public health. Research investments by the SRP have had a significant impact on science, health, and society. Documenting the benefits of these investments provides insight into how basic research is translated to real-world applications.

scholarly journals Sustainable exposure prevention through innovative detection and remediation technologies from the NIEHS Superfund Research Program

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 35-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather F. Henry ◽  
William A. Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Exposure Assessment ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Toxicity Screening

Abstract Innovative devices and tools for exposure assessment and remediation play an integral role in preventing exposure to hazardous substances. New solutions for detecting and remediating organic, inorganic, and mixtures of contaminants can improve public health as a means of primary prevention. Using a public health prevention model, detection and remediation technologies contribute to primary prevention as tools to identify areas of high risk (e.g. contamination hotspots), to recognize hazards (bioassay tests), and to prevent exposure through contaminant cleanups. Primary prevention success is ultimately governed by the widespread acceptance of the prevention tool. And, in like fashion, detection and remediation technologies must convey technical and sustainability advantages to be adopted for use. Hence, sustainability – economic, environmental, and societal – drives innovation in detection and remediation technology. The National Institute of Health (NIH) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Superfund Research Program (SRP) is mandated to advance innovative detection, remediation, and toxicity screening technology development through grants to universities and small businesses. SRP recognizes the importance of fast, accurate, robust, and advanced detection technologies that allow for portable real-time, on-site characterization, monitoring, and assessment of contaminant concentration and/or toxicity. Advances in non-targeted screening, biological-based assays, passive sampling devices (PSDs), sophisticated modeling approaches, and precision-based analytical tools are making it easier to quickly identify hazardous “hotspots” and, therefore, prevent exposures. Innovation in sustainable remediation uses a variety of approaches: in situ remediation; harnessing the natural catalytic properties of biological processes (such as bioremediation and phytotechnologies); and application of novel materials science (such as nanotechnology, advanced membranes, new carbon materials, and materials reuse). Collectively, the investment in new technologies shows promise to reduce the amount and toxicity of hazardous substances in the environment. This manuscript highlights SRP funded innovative devices and tools for exposure assessment and remediation of organic, inorganic, and mixtures of contaminants with a particular focus on sustainable technologies.

scholarly journals The Importance of Community Engagement and Research Translation within the NIEHS Superfund Research Program

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany A. Trottier ◽  
Danielle J. Carlin ◽  
Michelle L. Heacock ◽  
Heather F. Henry ◽  
William A. Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Engagement ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Research Translation ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Environmental Health Sciences ◽  
History Of ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Use Of Research

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program (SRP) funds university-based, solution-oriented research to understand how hazardous substances contribute to disease and how to prevent exposures to these hazardous substances. A unique aspect of the SRP is that, beyond the biomedical, environmental sciences, and engineering research projects, SRP-funded centers are required to include community engagement to build partnerships with affected communities and research translation to communicate and facilitate the use of research findings. The SRP views both as effective ways to inform and advance science for protection of public health. The purpose of community engagement within the centers is to ensure bidirectional communication between the researchers and the community, identify best practices and activities in community engagement for prevention and intervention activities, enhance knowledge, and support the needs of the communities impacted by hazardous waste sites. The SRP views research translation as communicating and facilitating the use of research findings emanating from the center in a manner most appropriate for their application and for the advancement of a center’s research objectives. The SRP has a strong history of seeking opportunities to work with communities and stakeholders, by translating and sharing research findings in an impactful and informative manner with long-lasting benefits to improve public health.

scholarly journals ANÁLISE DO PROGRAMA DE PESQUISA EM SAÚDE E SANEAMENTO DA FUNASA NO PERÍODO DE 2000 A 2016 [Funasa’s Health and Sanitation Research Program assessment in the period 2000-2016]

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cibele Medeiros Brito Leite ◽  
Cristine Diniz Santiago ◽  
Filomena Kotaka
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Program Assessment ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Scale Method ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
The Impact

RESUMO:  A Funasa financia projetos de pesquisas desde o ano 2000, visando o fomento a ações sustentáveis de engenharia de saúde pública. Para o processo de desenvolvimento, acompanhamento e avaliação dos produtos finais das pesquisas, tem-se a colaboração de diversos atores. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar o Programa de Pesquisa em Saúde e Saneamento no período de 2000 a 2016, a partir da visão destes atores. No sentido de colher subsídios para aperfeiçoamento do Programa de Pesquisa foi realizada coleta de informações, via questionário eletrônico do Google Forms, com os envolvidos no processo, utilizando a metodologia da escala de Likert para as respostas. Foram encaminhados 277 questionários e respondidos um total de 48, ou seja 17,3%. A utilização do questionário eletrônico para auxiliar na coleta de dados possibilitou a análise do Programa e as respostas inferem o impacto e a importância da manutenção dessa iniciativa para o fomento de estudos e pesquisas na área de saúde e saneamento. Entretanto, alguns aspectos precisam ser revistos e avaliados, principalmente com relação a burocracia e a continuidade de projetos de pesquisa no sentido da aplicabilidade, visando a eficácia, efetividade e aprimoramento do Programa de Pesquisa da Funasa. Os resultados deste estudo contribuem para subsidiar o aperfeiçoamento das ações da Funasa no apoio à pesquisa brasileira em saúde e saneamento.ABSTRACT: Funasa finances research projects since the year 2000, aiming at the promotion of sustainable actions in the areas of public health engineering. Several actors collaborate in the process of development, monitoring and evaluation of the final products of the researches. Thus, the present research analyzed Funasa’s Health and Sanitation Research Program in the period from 2000 to 2016, from the perspective of these actors. In order to collect information for the improvement of the Research Program an online questionnaire was constructed using Google Forms platform. This questionnaire used Likert’s scale method and was sent to 277 people, with a total of 48 answers, representing 17,3%. The use of an online questionnaire made it possible to analyze the Program and the answers show the impact and importance of the maintenance of this financing initiative for research in the health and sanitation area. Nevertheless, some aspects must be reviewed and evaluated, mainly those related to bureaucracy and continuity of the research projects in the sense of applicability, towards the efficiency, effectiveness and improvement of Funasa’s Research Program. This paper’s results will contribute to subsidize the improvement of Funasa’s actions towards supporting Brazilian research in the areas of public health and sanitation.

Development of a Public Health Research Program for Ovarian Cancer

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christie R. Eheman ◽  
Lucy Peipins ◽  
Michelle Wynn ◽  
Blythe Ryerson ◽  
Sherri L. Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Public Health Research

scholarly journals PARTNERSHIP OF THE NORTHWEST PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER IN THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF ARCTIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 96 (7) ◽  
pp. 601-606
Author(s):  
Alexey A. Dudarev ◽  
S. A. Gorbanev ◽  
K. B. Fridman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
The Body ◽  
Research Center ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
International Projects

The article presents the main results of scientific investigations of the Northwest Public Health Research Center, obtained in 2000-2016 during the implementation of the international projects in the field of environmental health in the Arctic, local food-and-water security and diseases associated with food and water transmission routes, ecotoxicology of persistent toxic substances (PTS), evaluation of exposure of various Arctic populations (including the indigenous people) to PTS, assessment of PTS effects on the body and health risks for the population.

scholarly journals Impact oriented monitoring: A new methodology for monitoring and evaluation of international public health research projects

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Guinea ◽  
E. Sela ◽  
A. J. Gómez-Núñez ◽  
T. Mangwende ◽  
A. Ambali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
International Public Health

Data sharing for public health research: A qualitative study of industry and academia

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Anne Saunders ◽  
Erin E. Wilhelm ◽  
Sinae Lee ◽  
Elizabeth Merkhofer ◽  
Ira Shoulson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Sharing ◽  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Medical Product ◽  
Biomedical Data ◽  
Medical Products ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Data sharing is a key biomedical research theme for the 21st century. Biomedical data sharing is the exchange of data among (non)affiliated parties under mutually agreeable terms to promote scientific advancement and the development of safe and effective medical products. Wide sharing of research data is important for scientific discovery, medical product development, and public health. Data sharing enables improvements in development of medical products, more attention to rare diseases, and cost-efficiencies in biomedical research. We interviewed 11 participants about their attitudes and beliefs about data sharing. Using a qualitative, thematic analysis approach, our analysis revealed a number of themes including: experiences, approaches, perceived challenges, and opportunities for sharing data.

Research Recommendations for Applying Vitamin A-Labelled Isotope Dilution Techniques to Improve Human Vitamin A Nutrition

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry A. Tanumihardjo ◽  
Anura V. Kurpad ◽  
Janet R. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
The Body ◽  
Pool Size ◽  
Serum Retinol ◽  
Vitamin A Status ◽  
Status Assessment ◽  
Total Body

The current use of serum retinol concentrations as a measurement of subclinical vitamin A deficiency is unsatisfactory for many reasons. The best technique available for vitamin A status assessment in humans is the measurement of total body pool size. Pool size is measured by the administration of retinol labelled with stable isotopes of carbon or hydrogen that are safe for human subjects, with subsequent measurement of the dilution of the labelled retinol within the body pool. However, the isotope techniques are time-consuming, technically challenging, and relatively expensive. There is also a need to assess different types of tracers and doses, and to establish clear guidelines for the use and interpretation of this method in different populations. Field-friendly improvements are desirable to encourage the application of this technique in developing countries where the need is greatest for monitoring the risk of vitamin A deficiency, the effectiveness of public health interventions, and the potential of hypervitaminosis due to combined supplement and fortification programs. These techniques should be applied to validate other less technical methods of assessing vitamin A deficiency. Another area of public health relevance for this technique is to understand the bioconversion of β-carotene to vitamin A, and its relation to existing vitamin A status, for future dietary diversification programs.

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