News Update
DOH awards 650,000 in harmful algal bloom research funds
Staff report
Enviro-Net
The Florida Department of Health announced that $650,000 in legislatively-appropriated funds was awarded to four Florida universities. The funding will support researchers in their efforts to improve the understanding of the potential long-term human-health impacts of harmful algal blooms like blue-green algae and red tide.
Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida, the University of Miami and Florida Gulf Coast University received awards.
Potential outcomes of the research include improved environmental and human toxin tests and a better understanding of the health risks for people with variable exposure to the toxins.
The research priorities are 1) Prevention: Research with a focus on prevention of impacts from exposure to toxins associated with harmful algal blooms; 2) Treatment: Research with a focus on improved treatment of impacts from exposure to toxins associated with harmful algal blooms; 3) Health Disparities: Research that contributes to reductions of impacts from exposure to toxins associated with harmful algal blooms resulting from health disparities due to race, ethnicity or income, and 4) Screening: Improved screening accuracy, detection of high-risk subgroups, and improved implementation of a HAB-toxin screening program that results in an increase in early detection or prevention of HAB related illness.