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Program Description

Collage of R2A public events and various natural disasters including oil spill, traffic, hurricanes and flooding

Research to Action (R2A) encourages multidisciplinary projects to investigate the potential health risks of environmental exposures of concern to a community and to implement an environmental public health action plan based on research findings. Projects employ community-engaged research methods to conduct research and to seamlessly translate research findings into public health action. This program reflects NIEHS Strategic Plan goals in bi-directional communications and supporting research to address environmental health disparities and environmental justice concerns. The R2A program is part of the NIEHS Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH) Network.

R2A projects include at least one researcher in environmental health sciences and at least one member of a community-based organization (CBO) who works directly and regularly with the affected community. Through equitable partnerships and drawing upon the unique strengths of each partner, the funded projects conduct collaborative research and translate research into public health action.

Community involvement in environmental or occupational health research ensures that:

  • Communities play a role in identifying and defining problems and risks related to environmental or occupational exposures and stressors that are of greatest importance to them.
  • Communities receive scientific and financial support to conduct high quality research in partnership with scientists and/or public health professionals. Projects include efforts to characterize distributions and sources of environmental and occupational exposures, and distributions of exposure-related diseases in their community. These activities empower all involved to take actions to reduce potential health risks.
  • Community members actively participate with researchers and public health professionals to develop effective strategies for education, outreach, and remediation in response to environmental or occupational threats. They also develop ways to prevent such exposures and health outcomes in the future.

Program Highlights

Research to Action grantees develop education, outreach, and intervention programs to improve understanding of the problem. Some projects promote actions to prevent or reduce harmful environmental or occupational exposures.

Grantees are encouraged to evaluate scientific and community-engaged activities relevant to their project's goals and objectives. Below are a few examples of projects funded under this program.

R2A Grantees Share Their Work

R2A grantees create and share resources with stakeholders including community members, public health workers, and decision makers. Some examples of their work include:

R2A Project Locations

Orange Marker - Currently Funded, Blue Marker - Previously Funded

Program Contacts

Liam O'Fallon, M.A.
Liam O'Fallon, M.A.
Health Specialist
Tel 984-287-3298
Fax 919-316-4606
[email protected]
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop K3-12
Durham, NC 27709