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

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.

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.

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 publichealthlawresearch@sra.com or call 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.”

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.

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.