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The��Florida Department of Health announced that $650,000 in legislatively appropriated funds was awarded to four Florida universities. ����ý's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute received $269,000 of the funds. This funding will support our 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.��

"We are filling an important gap in knowledge about the potential long-term health impacts of harmful algal blooms on human health,”��said Adam Schaefer, MPH, an epidemiologist at ����ý's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.��"I look forward to working with all of our research partners on this important public health research initiative.”����

Potential outcomes of the research will include improved environmental and/or human toxin tests and a better understanding of the health risks for people with variable exposure to the toxins (from the occasional beach visitor to those with occupational exposures). The priorities for this research are:��

• �ʰ��𱹱�Գپ��Dz�:��Research with a focus on the prevention of impacts from exposure to toxins associated with harmful algal blooms.
  
  
• �հ��𲹳ٳ���Գ�:��Research with a focus on the improved treatment of impacts from exposure to toxins associated with harmful algal blooms.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Screening: Improve screening accuracy, detection of high-risk subgroups, and/or improved implementation of a HAB-toxin screening program that results in an increase in early detection or prevention of HAB related illness.��

Visit the�� ��for more information on this research project.

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