Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program - Applicant organization name/type: National Jewish Health/Private, not-for-profit academic medical center Address: 1400 Jackson St., Denver, CO 80206 Project Director: Cecile Rose, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine Contact Phone Numbers: Phone: 303-398-1867 Fax: 303-398-1452 E-mail Address: rosec@njhealth.org Website Address: https://www.nationaljewish.org/directory/prevention/miners-clinic/resep-clinic Proposed service region: Colorado, Wyoming, western South Dakota Grant funds requested in application: RESEP HRSA-20-029; $250,000 annually PROJECT ABSTRACT Colorado is the birthplace of the uranium mining industry in the U.S. and, along with Wyoming and western South Dakota, was a major supplier of uranium ore between 1942 and 1971. The uranium mining and production boom in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s was fueled by the development of atomic energy, America’s Cold War security needs, and later the nuclear power industry. Uranium industry workers who were part of this remarkable history were exposed to radiation, dusts, fumes, smoke, noise, and chemicals, placing them at increased risk for lung, kidney and other cancers, nephritis, pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Recognizing these risks, the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) was created to serve uranium miners, millers and ore transporters employed between January 1, 1942 and December 31, 1971, as well as individuals living downwind of atmospheric nuclear tests (“downwinders”) and those participating in onsite testing involving the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device prior to January 1, 1963, who were found to be at risk for a variety of cancers. Many of these individuals live in rural western communities with geographic and financial barriers to accessing health care services for the diseases they face, particularly occupational illnesses such as radiogenic cancers and non-malignant lung and kidney disease. The Miners Clinic at National Jewish Health (NJH) will provide RESEP services in Colorado, Wyoming, and western South Dakota. We bring years of experience providing screening, referral, diagnosis, treatment and counseling for Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)-eligible participants. Outreach, education, medical and psychosocial screening, diagnostic testing, referrals and RECA eligibility assistance have been a focus of the Miners Clinic/RESEP program since 2009. Our service delivery model partners with rural providers at multiple sites in Colorado and Wyoming to facilitate access to services for uranium industry workers and downwinders. Our program has built partnerships with community members and local health care providers to assure that RESEP objectives are met. We learned of this funding opportunity through the HRSA project officer and through Grants.gov. In addition to being the leading respiratory hospital in the U.S., NJH is a premier clinical, teaching and research center providing specialty care in occupational lung disease. The Miners Clinic/RESEP is staffed by board-certified occupational pulmonologists with access to a full spectrum of medical and surgical specialists to assure state-of-the-art care for patients with radiogenic diseases. NJH has a lung cancer program and an advanced diagnostic imaging center, with three B-readers and a low dose chest CT scan program for early lung cancer detection. The Miners Clinic/RESEP has a team of experienced program coordinators, case managers, spirometry technicians, benefits counselors and educators who understand the needs of uranium industry workers and downwinders, and are committed to their care and service.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).