Research Focus Areas
At Children's Hospital Research Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio, we're markedly increasing our efforts to fight childhood disease. Through the Children's Leadership Advancement Initiative, a 10-year, $158 million project, we're expanding programs, attracting new funding and hiring additional world-class scientists in eight research focus areas:
Fundamental Research
Cincinnati Children's is working to understand how humans grow and develop, how inherited and acquired medical conditions alter the growth and development process during childhood, and how the body defends itself against infections and other environmental attacks. We're also developing ways to enhance these protective responses. This research will contribute to new treatments for children - and provide important clues to prevent threats to childhood growth and health.
Molecular Medicine
As fundamental research identifies new molecules and mechanisms essential to the body's normal functioning, Cincinnati Children's is fostering programs to apply this information to new ways to diagnose and treat illnesses. Molecular medicine bridges the laboratory and the bedside, ensuring that patients receive the most innovative treatments.
Disorders of the Neurological System
Central nervous system injuries are among the most common causes of disability in children. They include learning problems, attention disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain tumors and accidental head injury. Cincinnati Children's takes a comprehensive approach to treating children with these disorders, focusing on their physical and behavioral well-being. We're also promoting the study of the neurosciences to develop new ways to diagnose and treat these disorders.
Surgical Research
Cincinnati Children's is a leader in developing new ways to surgically correct major childhood problems, especially by using organ transplants. To help more children, we are creating a surgical research center, where new approaches to organ reconstruction or rehabilitation can be developed.
Genetics
Most of the problems bringing children to Cincinnati Children's today are inherited, or have an inherited component. Scientists are rapidly advancing their understanding of the biological basis of inherited diseases. To aid in early detection and prevention of these diseases, we are assessing genetic risks for children and their families, and developing plans to keep children healthy before genetic diseases take their toll. Genetics researchers are working on ways to modify the influences of inherited diseases or even replace defective genes.
Adolescent Medicine
Teen-agers often are a neglected group in the American health-care system. Cincinnati Children's is moving to the forefront in treating disorders common to adolescents. Our experts are helping teens deal with the risk-taking behaviors that can threaten their health now and put them at risk for life-long medical problems. We're examining ways to encourage teen-agers to get the medical care they need, and exploring how families can contribute to their teens' health.
Specific Diseases of Childhood
Many childhood conditions still pose challenges and are receiving increased attention: childhood heart disease and its surgical treatment; diabetes; cancer; asthma; juvenile arthritis; kidney disease; liver disease; and traumatic injury.
Health Services Delivery and Prevention
Cincinnati Children's is committed to delivering the highest quality of care, but at the lowest possible cost. We are identifying and creating better ways to give care, along with more effective ways to prevent disease and maintain health. Experts in the areas of health services delivery, prevention, epidemiology, biostatistics and outcomes analysis are working together to help physicians and staff to increase quality and decrease costs.
