Research!America and Partners Urge Strong Funding for the CDC
WASHINGTON—Nov. 16, 2007—Research!America and the leading U.S. public health organizations ask Americans to give special thanks to their state and local "public health heroes" on November 19.
Joining Research!America are the American Public Health Association, the Association of Schools of Public Health, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, and the National Association of County & City Health Officials.
"Public Health Thank You Day is a chance to salute the people who bring the benefits of health to all Americans every day through public health research and services. These often unsung heroes include researchers, teachers, and nurses and all those working behind the scenes to keep our water clean, our food safe and our families healthy," said Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America.
"Vigilance on so many fronts-protecting Americans from chronic conditions, infectious disease, potential pandemics and bioterrorism-requires support from Congress for an increased investment in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nation's leading public health research, prevention and preparedness agency," said Woolley. "Increased funding for CDC will lead to stronger funding of state and local health departments that are expected to prepare for and respond to health threats."
While the House and Senate passed the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) bill with a 6.6% increase for the CDC budget, this bill was vetoed by the president and the veto was sustained by the House. As Congress negotiates a revised appropriations bill, Research! America and its partners urge Congress to uphold a strong increase for the vital work of the CDC.
In national Research!America polls, 79% of Americans say that the U.S. should invest more in state and local health departments and 54% would like to see an increase in funding for the CDC .
Send an e-thank you card to your public health hero at www.publichealththankyouday.org. Take part in Public Health Thank You Day with our Web banners and ads, communication tools and poll findings.
Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Visit www.researchamerica.org.
Ms. Woolley is available for further comment.
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