Pennsylvania Governor Edward
G. Rendell today announced the award of $49 million in grants that will
continue Pennsylvania's efforts to positively affect the lives of its
residents. Forty health care institutions, colleges, universities and
non-profit health organizations statewide will receive grants from
Pennsylvania's share of the national tobacco settlement for 2005-06.
"The research being supported through this funding is an investment in
the health of our citizens," Governor Rendell said. "Whether it is
eliminating health disparities or lessening the impact of chronic diseases,
these research projects will show their true value by helping us in our
goal to help Pennsylvanians live longer, healthier lives."
The grants focus on basic biomedical research, patient-oriented
clinical investigations and/or health services research. Many projects will
emphasize health differences between various groups of people in the
commonwealth from gender and race to geography and economic status. Studies
funded by the grants will work to improve the delivery of health care,
promote healthy living and prevent disease and injury.
Earlier this year, Governor Rendell unveiled another proposal that
would increase medical research opportunities throughout the commonwealth:
the Jonas Salk Legacy Fund. Through this $500 million initiative, matching
grants would be awarded to the state's leading bioscience researchers in
academia and industry, meaning as much as $1 billion will be available to
accelerate breakthrough research in Pennsylvania-based laboratories to
treat, cure and prevent the most serious and life-threatening diseases. The
program awaits approval by the General Assembly.
"We need to make the most of every opportunity we have to enhance our
medical research capabilities," Governor Rendell said. "Through the Jonas
Salk Legacy Fund, Pennsylvania will remain at the forefront of the health
research field."
Pennsylvania's current plan for using tobacco settlement funds, which
are the resource for the grants announced today, is outlined in the Tobacco
Settlement Act. This act requires that a portion of the tobacco settlement
funds be distributed, by a pre-determined formula, to institutions that
already receive funds from the National Institutes of Health.
The Department of Health already has distributed nearly $19 million in
tobacco settlement money during this current fiscal year for five
non-formula grants that were awarded by a competitive bid process for
obesity research projects.
The formula awards announced today are listed below and also can be
found, along with more information on the use of tobacco settlement money,
at the Pennsylvania Department of Health's CURE Program Web site:
health.state.pa.us/cure.
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: governor.state.pa.us.
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
governor.state.pa.us