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New research addresses everyday health concerns
(Edmonton, AB), Tuesday, June 14, 2005... Imagine treating schizophrenic patients prior to the onset of their disease. What if telephone consultations between physicians could lessen the pain of chronic pain sufferers? How is private well water being contaminated with e-coli? These types of questions are just a few of the successful 2005 Health Research Fund projects that Alberta researchers hope to answer. Researchers at the universities of Alberta and Calgary, along with investigators in the health regions, will tackle 20 separate research projects addressing everyday health problems. These awards will enable researchers to provide pragmatic and practical results, driven to change the way Albertans receive health services. Projects funded in 2005 include topics ranging from schizophrenia to respiratory illnesses to the effect of bike helmet legislation and safety. The Health Research Fund competition is funded by Alberta Health and Wellness and administered through the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). A total of 20 researcher teams in Alberta have been offered in excess of $2.2 million The $2.2 million for this year's Health Research Fund projects is in addition to the $40.7 million announced by AHFMR in March for support for basic, biomedical and health researchers in Alberta. AHFMR has contributed over $800 million to the Alberta medical and health research community since 1980, making Alberta one of the top medical research centres in North America.For more information call Dwayne Brunner, AHFMR Communications and Media Coordinator at (780) 423-5727
Backgrounder 2005 Complete listing of Health Research Fund Projects
Brief summary of HRF Projects for 2005: University of Alberta 1. What kind of rehabilitation services do children with cerebral palsy receive? 5. What are the effects of HIV drug therapies on HIV-infected inner city residents in Northern Alberta? 6. How do we help children and their families cope with cancer?
University of Calgary 1. How do we compare different treatments for early psychosis? 2. How can we better determine the cause of respiratory infection? 3. How common are alternative medicines for osteoporosis? 4. a) How cost-effective are the different tests for cancer of the large intestine? 5 . How is private well water contaminated with e. coli? 6. What are aboriginal women’s experiences with the health system when they suffer fractures? 7. Is medical followup by phone, fax, and web as effective as physician visits for people with type 1 diabetes? 8. What type of surgery is most effective in improving women’s urinary control? 9. What is the best way to educate university students on the risks of excessive alcohol? 10. What do Albertans know about depression?
Calgary Health Region 1. Do people with severe chronic pain require more healthcare provider hours? 2. Can telephone consultations between doctors help chronic pain sufferers? 3. How can nurses more effectively meet patients’ needs in a busy hospital setting?
The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) currently provides funding for over 600 researchers and researchers in training at the Province’s three main universities. The foundation supports a community of researchers who generate knowledge that improves the health and quality of life of Albertans and people throughout the world. AHFMR’s commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers in training. Total AHFMR funding over 25 years is in excess of $800 million. For more information, visit www.ahfmr.ab.ca |
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