Funds Boost Paul G. Rogers Society’s Advocacy for More U.S. Global Health Research
WASHINGTON—September 17, 2008—Research!America has received $1.4 million in renewed support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research.
This continued commitment from the Gates Foundation will help build additional leaders in global health research advocacy in the United States. These "citizen scientists" will amplify the growing call for increased investment in global health research. They will seek opportunities to make policymakers and the media aware of the need for sustained investment in global health research and of the value it brings here at home as well.
"Support from the Gates Foundation enables Ambassadors to continue meeting with policymakers and the media, reinforcing through their own experiences the importance of global health research to the US and to the world," said The Honorable John Edward Porter, chair of the Society's Advisory Council and Research!America board chair.
"The Rogers Society is making a big difference by educating policymakers about the importance of global health research," said Joe Cerrell, director of global health advocacy for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "The Society is helping to ensure that American scientists can continue to make life-saving breakthroughs against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other global diseases."
Ambassadors are selected by an Advisory Council composed of leaders in global health, public policy, and communications - including three Nobel Laureates. Information on nominating Ambassadors for the Rogers Society is available from Karen A. Goraleski, Research!America's vice president of public health partnerships.
"The advocacy training provided by The Rogers Society has allowed me to interact with elected officials and non-science professionals in a way that effectively conveys the rationale for greater investment in research to improve health worldwide," said Michael Capello, MD, a Rogers Society Ambassador from Yale University's School of Medicine.
The Society, named for The Honorable Paul G. Rogers, former Florida Congressman, renowned champion for health research, and current Research!America chair emeritus, aims to increase awareness of and make the case for greater U.S. investment in research to fight diseases that disproportionately affect the world's poorest nations.
"There is no doubt that the current climate for research is unfavorable, but our polls tell us that Americans support global health research," said Mary Woolley, president of Research!America. "Unifying and activating stakeholders in advocacy for research is a complex process requiring bold leadership and sustained effort. The Society is doing just that. Global health research is the smart thing to do for America, and the right thing to do for the world."
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. Founded in 1989, it is supported by more than 500 member organizations, which represent more than 125 million Americans. For more information, visit www.researchamerica.org.