Friday, April 4, 2025
4/4/2025
Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program - Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center MSC 10 5550, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131 Org. Contact Information: phone: (505) 272-9383, fax: 505-272-0159 E-mail: HSC-Preaward@salud.unm.edu, Website: http://hsc.unm.edu/financialservices/preaward University of New Mexico RESEP Website: RESEP (unm.edu) Project Director: Denece Kesler, MD, MPH Proposed Service Region: State of New Mexico, any county. Since New Mexico was the United States’ leader in uranium production between 1953 and 1993, radiation exposure had the potential to have an adverse impact on the health of many communities. New Mexico has a unique target population that are reflective of the state’s population as NM is a minority-majority state, with approximately 49.1% of New Mexicans being Hispanic and 10.9% being Native Americans. As a large rural state with widespread poverty, many areas do not have the ability to detect or manage radiogenic disease due to mining, testing, or environmental exposures. It is critical that individuals who may develop cancer or other radiogenic diseases be appropriately educated and screened, as well as compensated when eligible under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). The University of New Mexico (UNM) is uniquely suited to meet the needs of this proposal as UNM has participated in clinical care, education, and health research on behalf of individuals who have worked in the uranium industry or had related environmental exposures for more than a quarter of a century. This New Mexico Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (UNM RESEP) proposal brings together institutional and community expertise in mining, radiogenic diseases, cultural awareness, and preventive medicine in order to improve the health of mining industry workers and communities in New Mexico through the program initiatives. The purpose of this proposal is to deliver a proven multipronged program to help individuals and communities adversely impacted by radiation exposures in the uranium mining and processing industry or the U.S. testing of nuclear weapons. With this proposal, UNM RESEP will: 1. Inform and educate the public, especially in areas where uranium production occurred, about services offered through the RESEP program, 2. Disseminate information on radiogenic diseases and the importance of early detection, 3. Provide screening of eligible individuals for cancer and other radiogenic diseases, 4. Provide referrals for medical treatment when appropriate, and 5. Establish patient eligibility and facilitate applications for RECA compensation. UNM will collaborate with the community of Grants and the Laguna and Acoma Pueblos to provide a comprehensive community focused program of education, health screening, outreach, and eligibility assistance for former uranium workers and those impacted by device testing. The existing highly successful program will be expanded by augmenting the focus on rural and remote community-based clinics and education, applying novel communication strategies with communities, improving informatics interventions, and continuing close collaboration with other HRSA grantees working with New Mexican miners and communities. UNM is dedicated to continue this program to serve the public and those who are RECA eligible. Significant efforts will be in place to facilitate RECA applications when appropriate, with an additional emphasis in education, screening, and appropriate medical referrals for radiogenic diseases. By increasing the focus on prevention and education strategies, this proposal will ultimately serve to improve the health of impacted populations. The UNM RESEP learned of this funding opportunity through the HRSA project officer.
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).