New Call for Proposals Issued by Public Health Law Research Program

Philadelphia (Feb. 10, 2010)—The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s (RWJF) Public Health Law Research (PHLR) program today released its second  call for proposals (CFP) for studies that will examine the public health impacts of laws and legal practices, including innovative  policy and legal approaches, and laws and regulations developed at the city or county level. 

The new call for proposals is available at www.rwjf.org/applications/solicited/cfp.jsp?ID=21022. The deadline for submitting brief proposals is April 14, 2010. 

Up to $3.5 million is available in this round of funding.  Short-term studies will be funded up to $150,000 each for up to 18 months. Complex studies will be funded up to $450,000 each for up to 30 months.  

While PHLR funds studies that mainly focus on the intersection between law and public health, researchers from other disciplines, such as medicine, economics, sociology, psychology, and public policy and administration are encouraged to be part of multi-disciplinary teams of applicants.  

PHLR’s first call for proposals was issued in 2009.  Fourteen studies were funded that addressed a wide range of legal and public health issues, including: effective legal decision-making during public health emergencies; issues related to the public health infrastructure at the state and local levels; the influence of zoning laws on violent crime and health, and the impact of exemptions from immunization laws on diseases that can be prevented through vaccines. 

Scott Burris, J.D., professor of law and director of the Center for Health Law, Policy and Practice at Temple University, directs the national program office for PHLR. 

“We want to encourage studies that focus on timely, current public health and legal issues. PHLR emphasizes scientific rigor as well as policy, legal and public health relevancy,” Burris said. 

Last year, PHLR received 235 brief proposals, out of which 40 were invited to submit full proposals, and 14 were funded, according to Burris. The new CFP is expected to generate similar levels of interest. Applicants to the new CFP will have access to methodology and other technical resources on the PHLR Web site (www.publichealthlawresearch.org).

Michelle Larkin, J.D., director of RWJF’s public health team said “the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recognizes that good health not only comes from the care that people receive at their doctor’s office or at hospitals, but also from programs, laws and  policies that remove barriers to health and help people make healthier decisions. We established the Public Health Law Research program to inform policymakers about the impact of laws on public health.”

The PHLR national program office includes: Jennifer Ibrahim, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A., and Jennifer Wood, Ph.D., M.A., both from Temple University; Michelle Mello, Ph.D., J.D., M.Phil., Harvard University; Jeffrey Swanson, Ph.D., M.A., M.Phil., Duke University; and Alexander Wagenaar, Ph.D., M.S.W., University of Florida.  The proposal review process includes RWJF staff and a National Advisory Committee, chaired by Susan Gerard, MBA, a former state legislator and a public health official from Arizona.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change.  For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. 

Founded in 1895, Temple University Beasley School of Law offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, combined J.D/M.B.A. degree, S.J.D. degree and a variety of Masters of Law (LL.M.) degrees. Located in Philadelphia, the law school also has study abroad opportunities in Rome and Tokyo. Faculty comprised of distinguished attorneys and scholars incorporate an innovative blend of academic and practical applications of legal study into rigorous classroom experiences. In 1999, after being selected by the Chinese Ministry of Justice, Temple Law created China’s first foreign LL.M. program for Chinese attorneys. The Temple Center for Health Policy, Law and Practice examines critical legal issues in public health and healthcare through interdisciplinary research projects, courses and problem-solving partnerships with academics and community leaders both locally and internationally.