FIRST CALL FOR PROPOSALS

               PUBLIC HEALTH LAW RESEARCH PROGRAM ISSUES

                             Philadelphia
                            March 24, 2009


      The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's (RWJF) Public Health
      Law Research (PHLR) program today released its first call
      for proposals to fund studies that will examine how laws
      can improve public health. The call for proposals is
      available at:

             http://www.publichealthlawresearch.org

      The deadline for submitting brief proposals is May 19,
      2009.


      FUNDING:

      Studies funded through this program will be at the
      intersection of two disciplines: law and public health.
      Other disciplines, such as medicine, economics, sociology,
      psychology and public policy and administration may also be
      involved in these studies.

      About $3.5 million are available for funding through the
      first call for proposals for two types of studies. Short-
      term studies that include legal research, policy analysis
      or public health implications of specific laws or
      regulations, will be funded up to $150,000 each for up to
      18 months. Complex and comprehensive legal and public
      health studies that include multistate, long-term analyses
      and other in-depth evaluations of laws will be funded up to
      $400,000 each for up to 30 months.


      MEMBERS OF PHLR:

      Scott Burris, J.D., professor of law and director of the
      Center for Health Law, Policy and Practice at Temple
      University, is directing the national program office for
      PHLR. Other core members of the PHLR team include: Jennifer
      Ibrahim, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A., 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.


      TOPICS:

      The program is inviting proposals in three areas: Legal
      Action to Shape Healthy Environments, Law's Influence on
      Health Behaviors, and Strengthening the Performance and
      Effectiveness of the Public Health System through Law.
      Examples of studies under each of the three areas are
      available in the call for proposals. Researchers should
      address questions about this CFP to:

      Email:         MAILTO:publichealthlawresearch@sra.com
      Tel:           866-330-9752

      "We want to encourage studies that focus on timely, current
      public health or legal issues, such as food safety or
      chronic diseases, or studies that anticipate challenges
      that could be posed by future issues, such as bioterrorism,
      natural disasters or pandemic flu," Burris said.

      "Our nation faces urgent public health challenges every
      day-from the safety of our food supply to the capacity of
      health departments to respond to the next health emergency,
      leaving many unanswered questions about the effective
      application of laws, statutes, and regulations to improve
      health," said Michelle Larkin, senior program officer and
      director of the public health team at the Robert Wood
      Johnson Foundation. "We expect this program to build the
      evidence that can answer those questions, now and in the
      future."


      ABOUT THE RWJF:

      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:

                     http://www.rwjf.org


      ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

      Founded in 1895, Temple University Beasley School of Law
      offers a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, combined J.D/M.B.A.
      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.


      FURTHER INFORMATION:

      For further information, contact:

      CONTACT:       Prabhu Ponkshe, Health Matrix
      Tel:           703-918-4860

      CONTACT:       Becky Wexler, Burness Communications
      Tel:           301-652-1558



Posted 4/1/09