U.S. Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker this week announced a combined total of nearly $25.27 million to the North Jersey Community Research Initiative, Rutgers University’s Biomedical and Health Sciences and the New Jersey Department of Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These grants will provide funds for substance use and addiction research programs as well as allergy, immunology, transplantation and PFAS-contaminated drinking water exposure research programs.
“Active scientific research on the effects of PFAS found in drinking water, as well as allergens, immunology and substance use and addiction programs, will help protect and support New Jerseyans who are at risk,” Menendez (D-N.J.) said. “Everyone — no matter their age, race, religion or economic background — will benefit from this research, as the results provide the kind of outcomes that prioritize health and well-being of communities across the state of New Jersey.”
“These grants are a vital investment in the well-being of our community,” said Booker (D-N.J.). “They will fund research and programs that address pressing health issues such as drug abuse and addiction and strengthen public health.”
The following grantees received funding:
- New Jersey Department of Health: $13.6 million;
- New Jersey Department of Health: $3 million;
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences: $2.047 million;
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey: $1.727 million;
- New Jersey Department of Health: $1.5 million;
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences: $748,311;
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Services: $500,575;
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Science: $471,000;
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences: $453,067;
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey: $392,500;
- New Jersey Department of Health: $345,000;
- Autonomous Healthcare Inc.: $325,001;
- North Jersey Aids Alliance: $165,213.
The North Jersey Aids Alliance, as part of the North Jersey Community Research Initiative, one of New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS community-based organizations, will receive funding to support substance use and addiction research programs to eliminate or reduce risk factors. Rutgers University will receive funding to fund a National Coordination Resource Center that will provide technical assistance trainings and capacity development products to health care professionals across the nation.
Rutgers’ Biomedical and Health Sciences will receive funding to conduct allergy, immunology and transplantation research to identify how the immune system maintains health and, under abnormal conditions, also contributes to different medical disorders. The Biomedical and Health Sciences of Rutgers will also receive funding to support a multisite study of the health implications of exposure to PFAS-contaminated drinking water. According to the CDC, a large number of studies have examined possible relationships between levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in blood and harmful health effects in people.
In addition, these grants will allow Rutgers’ Biomedical and Health Sciences, as well as Rutgers University, to conduct research on causes of cancer and possible preventative strategies as well as lung diseases research.
The New Jersey Department of Health will receive grants to strengthen public health infrastructure and workforce, and to provide support for a state program designed to screen newborns for serious, rare health conditions. With these grants, Autonomous Healthcare will be able to provide substance use and addiction research programs, and the New Jersey Department of Health will be able to fund a hospital preparedness program to support community health workers for COVID response and resiliency.
