WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) applauded the National Institutes of Health (NIH) $1.8 million award to West Virginia University (WVU) to participate in the creation of a nationwide Pediatric Clinical Trials Network to support research efforts regarding children’s health.
This funding is awarded through a seven-year initiative known as the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. The purpose of the ECHO program is to discover the influence exposure to various environmental factors has on a child’s health. WVU is one of only 17 research institutions nationwide to participate in this program. The program will establish pediatric clinical trials networks throughout West Virginia, so doctors and patients have access to the same treatments that are available at the WVU’s hospital in Morgantown.
“Last year, I had the opportunity to host NIH officials in Morgantown to highlight the ground breaking research taking place in the state. I saw firsthand how institutions like WVU are paving the way with innovative developments made possible with support from NIH’s IDeA program. This funding will build on our earlier success and bring new insights into children’s health. Through education and research we can help hospitals, medical practices and pediatric health programs provide quality care to those children who need it most,” said Senator Capito.
“I’m happy to see this funding go to the talented researchers at West Virginia University. Every sick child in West Virginia deserves to have access to the state-of-the-art clinical trials that can both help them and further much needed research into pediatric illnesses,” Senator Manchin said. “This funding will increase access to innovative medical treatments and strengthen our efforts to understand the environmental factors and health risks that harm pediatric patients, allowing us to provide a better, healthier future for our children.”
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