Notice Number: NOT-ES-10-012
Key Dates
Release Date: September 3, 2010
Issued by
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Purpose
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in partnership with several NIH Institutes/Centers/Offices, intend to promote a new initiative by publishing a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applications to examine the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster on health and quality of life of the general population residing in the Gulf Coast Region. In addition to the potential for exposure to oil and chemical mixtures, dispersants, etc., residents in the Gulf region are experiencing economic hardship, job loss, resettlements and other forms of psychological distress which may all impact health and quality of life. The intent of this RFA is to create one or more community-based participatory consortia of university-community partners to address the health issues of concern to the residents. By developing multi-project programs that may include population and associated laboratory-based research projects, it is anticipated that the outcomes of these programs will be to better understand the interplay and impact of multiple stressors on human health and well-being and the potential underlying mechanisms for effects observed. In addition, the findings will establish the evidence base needed to inform recovery and to develop strategies to prevent illness and promote the health and well-being of populations faced in this and other future man-made and natural disasters.
This notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects.
This RFA will utilize the U19 activity code. Details of the planned Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are provided below.
Research Initiative Details
This Notice encourages university investigators to partner with community organizations and/or health care practitioners in the Gulf region with expertise and insights into the health concerns of its residents to begin to consider applying for this new RFA. This RFA will employ a community-based participatory process of planning, implementing and communicating pertinent research. There is the potential for the oil spill and other stressors that are consequent to it to impact multiple health outcomes including but not limited to mental health, maternal and child health, respiratory and cardiovascular effects, dermal effects, immune function, and cancer. In addition, because of the susceptibility of the region to natural and man-made disasters, such as the oil spill, developing the scientific basis to assist communities and residents to better respond to inherent risks that may contribute to physical, behavioral and social consequences is important to address from a concerted research and community standpoint. Potential topics could include measuring vulnerability and resilience and their causes and consequences; risk perception and communication; assessing social, behavioral, economic, and other influences as determinants of preparedness; and developing effective prevention/intervention strategies.
The scientific expertise and disciplines needed to address the health concerns of the residents in the Gulf region are quite broad and will be dependent on the issues being addressed. Scientific areas of research encouraged in this initiative could include population based research, social and behavioral sciences, toxicological research, exposure assessment/reconstruction, biomedical research in health-related areas (e.g., respiratory and cardiovascular, maternal and child health, immune function, etc.), communication and dissemination research, etc. In addition, the research team will need to include non-academic research partners such as community members, community organizations, and local health departments or other social service organizations in the development, implementation and dissemination of research.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Claudia Thompson, PhD
Susceptibility and Population Health Branch
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
530 Davis Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560
Telephone: 919-541-4638
Email: [email protected]
and Human Services (HHS)
