STRATEGIC PLAN - ASPE - U.S. Department of Health and Human ...
STRATEGIC PLAN - ASPE - U.S. Department of Health and Human ...
STRATEGIC PLAN - ASPE - U.S. Department of Health and Human ...
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CHAPTER 5: Scientific Research <strong>and</strong> DevelopmentBrief Strategic Family Therapy, Seeking Safety, <strong>and</strong>Motivational Enhancement Treatment, are designedto reach specialized populations that are frequentlyunderrepresented in drug <strong>and</strong> alcohol abuse research<strong>and</strong> are <strong>of</strong>ten underserved in drug <strong>and</strong> alcohol abusetreatment centers. The populations served includeadolescents at high risk for substance addiction <strong>and</strong>their families <strong>and</strong> abused women, as well as members<strong>of</strong> minority groups.Lung CancerLung cancer is one <strong>of</strong> the leading causes <strong>of</strong> death inthe United States, with an estimated 160,000 deathsoccurring annually <strong>and</strong> an estimated incidence <strong>of</strong>173,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. xxxix Onlyone-third <strong>of</strong> newly diagnosed cases are identified at astage early enough to allow for effective therapeuticintervention, while more advanced stages <strong>of</strong> the diseaseare characterized by a median survival rate <strong>of</strong> lessthan 1 year. The development <strong>of</strong> new drug treatmentsfor lung cancer has been slowed by difficulty in bothearly detection <strong>and</strong> measurement <strong>of</strong> early therapeuticdrug response. NIH is supporting research to evaluate,validate, <strong>and</strong> compare varying functional imagingmethods that could serve as more sensitive approachesto the measurement <strong>of</strong> early drug response thanst<strong>and</strong>ard or conventional anatomic imaging techniquesthat are based on significant tumor shrinkage. NIHis striving to validate <strong>and</strong> to compare three imagingmethods that could <strong>of</strong>fer increased sensitivity overcomputed tomography as a means <strong>of</strong> assessing lungcancer response to therapy.ObesityObesity is associated with numerous serious diseases,including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke,osteoarthritis, gallstones, breathing problems, <strong>and</strong>certain cancers. Type 2 diabetes, formerly viewed as adisease <strong>of</strong> older adults, has been increasingly reportedamong children.NIH is exploring lifestyle-based approaches to obesityprevention, including behavioral or environmentalinterventions, in settings such as schools, communities,<strong>and</strong> homes. NIH will support at least two studies thatwill evaluate the effects on weight control <strong>of</strong> worksiteinterventions that include environmental components,<strong>and</strong> at least three studies will evaluate the effects <strong>of</strong>interventions delivered in primary care settings totreat <strong>and</strong>/or prevent obesity in children. Becausemaintenance <strong>of</strong> weight loss is a critical yet particularlydifficult element <strong>of</strong> obesity treatment <strong>and</strong> prevention,NIH also will investigate novel ways to help individualswho have intentionally lost weight to keep the weight<strong>of</strong>f for at least 2 years. Complementing these areas<strong>of</strong> investigation relevant to lifestyle interventions isresearch to evaluate the efficacy <strong>of</strong> different types <strong>of</strong>diets <strong>and</strong> physical activities.HHS Strategic Plan FY 2007-2012121