The NIH, which partially funds the Clinical and Translational Research Institute, is a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services. This federal department has a cabinet-level secretary appointed by the President and is funded by the U.S. Congress. Taxpayers contribute to and benefit from the discoveries that come from clinical and translational research.
Members of the public can become directly involved with clinical research by volunteering to be part of a research trial. Clinical trials recruit people of all ages and ethnic/racial groups. Healthy volunteers and subjects with specific diseases or health conditions are also needed.
The public can also contribute to clinical and translational research by informing the CTRI of health-related discoveries they desire. This information is most often passed to the CTRI through community agencies (for example, your own doctor's office, a community clinic, a disease-related support group, or an agency that represents a certain age or ethnic group). The CTRI also hosts interactive seminars that are geared towards members of the public. Or, just e-mail us if you have any questions or concerns!
|