Legislative Mandate There are three principal components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that are engaged in international activities, including exchanges of experts: (1) the Public Health Service (PHS); (2) the Administration for Children and Families (ACF)*; and (3) the Social Security Administration (SSA). Authority for PHS international exchange activities is provided for in Sections 301 and 307 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended. Authorities of ACF and SSA are provided by Sections 702 and 1110 of the Social Security Act, as amended. HHS is a domestic agency, and its international activities are a reflection and an outgrowth of its domestic responsibilities. Public Health Service (PHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health The Office of International Health (OIH) is responsible for policy and general oversight of the international activities of the Public Health Service and oversees the Foreign Work Study Program for the PHS. This program provides opportunities for PHS employees to have work/training experience in foreign institutions or international organizations. * In April 1991, the Office of Human Development Services (HDS) merged with the Family Support Administration and became the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Linda A. Vogel (301) 443-1774 Public Health Service-Foreign Work Study This program provides employees of the PHS agencies/HHS with the opportunity to gain training and experience through assignments of up to 1 year in foreign institutions and international organizations. There were four assignments in FY 1990. No major initiatives are anticipated in the next fiscal year. Funding (all sources): FY 1990-$400,000 FY 1991-$500,000 FY 1992 $300,000 (est.) Source of Funding: U.S. Government-$500,000 Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) Leland H. Towle (301) 443-2593 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism This program provides a select group of qualified Russian scientists the opportunity to engage in research studies in alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The NIAAA Russian Exchange Scientist Program was established in mid-1990 by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the Center on Addictions (formerly the All-Union Research Center on Addiction) in Moscow. The program was initiated during FY 1991 with the arrival of three young Soviet scientists to work at NIAAA-funded research laboratories for approximately 12-16 months. One scientist conducted research at the Alcohol Research Center at the VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York. Another researcher studied the immunological and biochemical alterations induced by alcohol at the Alcohol Research Center at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona. The third scientist joined the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla, California, to examine the effects of prenatal and postnatal ethanol exposure on the development of the brain as assessed through the expression of brain-specific, neuronally specific, and glia-specific genes. Two additional Soviet scientists were scheduled to arrive in the United States in early FY 1992 to join research programs at the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver. Additional candidates for the program in FY 1993 will be nominated by the Addictions Center in mid-1992. Although the original plan for the Exchange Scientist Program called for American alcohol researchers to work in Moscow, the current economic situation in Russia has necessitated postponing this activity. In FY 1992 NIAAA will explore the feasibility of expanding the Exchange Scientist Program to include young scientists from other high-priority countries. The ADAMHA Visiting Program provides opportunities to selected and qualified foreign scientists to engage in research studies in alcohol abuse and alcoholism. A Visiting Fellow from the Japan National Institute on Alcoholism (NIA) spent 6 months during FY 1991 working in NIAAA's Division of Biometry and Epidemiology (DBE) in Rockville, Maryland. A former NIA Visiting Fellow with DBE began working with the NIAAA Laboratory of Physiologic and Pharmacologic Studies. This program is temporarily on hold pending outcome of the proposed transfer of NIAAA to the National Institutes of Health. There are currently no Japanese scientists from NIA working in NIAAA under the ADAMHA Visiting Program and no specific plans to bring any additional scientists to NIAAA in FY 1992 under this program. Funding (all sources): FY 1990-$27,500 FY 1991-$14,700 FY 1992-N/A Source of Funding: U.S. Government NIAAA-$14,700 Average Length of Grant: 2 years for each Japanese visiting scientist Dr. Richard Lindblad (301) 443-6458 Visiting Foreign Fellows (National Institute on Drug Abuse) The Intramural Drug Abuse Research and Training Program sponsors research on the development of new treatments for drug abuse and etiological factors related to drug dependence, biological mechanisms of drug action, and other areas pertinent to U.S. substance abuse research priorities. Funding (all sources): FY 1990-$408,000 FY 1991-$408,000 FY 1992-$400,000 (est.) Dr. Richard Lindblad (301) 443-6458 Source of Funding: U.S. Government PHS-$408,000 Average Length of Grant: 2 years (foreign) Guest Workers (National Institute on Drug Abuse) ADAMHA receives guest workers when expenses are paid by outside sources. Laboratory and work space and the opportunity to work under senior investigators are provided. Funding (all sources): FY 1990-$150,000 FY 1991-$150,000 FY 1992-$150,000 (est.) Sources of Funding: International organizations; private sector (foundations, Average Length of Grant: 3-6 months (foreign) Mary A. Cummings (301) 227-8485 Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) The purpose of the Agency for Health Care. Policy and Research (AHCPR) is to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services and to improve access to that care. Created in December 1989, AHCPR is the Federal Government's focal point for medical effectiveness and health services research. The agency expands on the work of its predecessor, the National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment (NCHSR). AHCPR is the eighth and newest agency of the Public Health Service. AHCPR does not currently have a formal international exchange and training program. AHCPR receives many foreign visitors and provides them with overviews of the agency and in-depth discussions with experts in their areas of interest. AHCPR also responds to numerous requests for agency publications from researchers from many other countries and maintains an extensive international mailing list. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) CDC is concerned with protecting the health of the American people through surveillance and other measures to control infectious diseases and through the collection and dissemination of data on health in the United States. CDC designs and maintains national data collection systems, conducts research in statistics and survey methodology, and cooperates with other agencies in the United States and internationally through (1) operational research to enhance knowledge; (2) training of indigenous personnel to enhance local capabilities; (3) other programs directed toward reduction and prevention of morbidity and mortality. Exchange and training activities include the following: Training covers such topics as epidemiology, diagnosis of selected infectious diseases, mycology, and improving laboratory methodology. Training is provided in response to requests of foreign governments, either directly or through the World Health Organization (WHO) or AID, and the costs are paid by foreign governments, multilateral organizations [including WHO, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)], and AID. Visitors Program-International Training CDC provides specialized training, work experience, or consultation for foreign scientists and health officials who visit the Center. They attend formal courses, participate in conferences, or consult with staff on various aspects of disease control and prevention. Training may be self-sponsored or sponsored by foreign governments and universities, AID, WHO, international organizations, or foundations. Over 800 foreign scientists and health officials visit CDC each year. Funding (all sources): FY 1990-$321,616 FY 1991-$473,744 FY 1992-$850,000 (est.) Sources of Funding: U.S. Government, foreign governments, international organizations, private sector (foundations, universities, etc.) U.S. Government Funding: CDC—$473,744 Average Length of Grant: average length of short-term visit-2 weeks; average length of long-term visit-6 months Food and Drug Administration (FDA) FDA's mission is to protect the health of the American consumer by ensuring the safety and efficacy of drugs and medical devices and the sanitary quality of foods. FDA provides the following international exchange or training opportunities: FDA, as required to further its regulatory programs, provides expert advice and technical assistance to foreign government officials and multilateral organizations in such areas as ensuring the safety of foods, drugs, vaccines, and medical devices; application of regulations; and other subjects germane to FDA's mission. |