Thematic Research Networks

Nine PRCs focus on reducing the burden of cancer, especially in underserved populations, through community engaged research. The network was established in 2002 and is funded by CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.

What Members Do

Members conduct research on the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based programs proven to increase cancer prevention and control. Members aim to increase the use of these programs among communities and public health partners.

Members

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (coordinating center)
• Colorado School of Public Health
• Emory University
• New York University and City University of New York
• University of Iowa
• University of Arizona
• University of Colorado
• University of South Carolina
• University of Washington

Learn more about the Cancer Prevention and Control Network.

DRRRN aims to improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The network was established in 2022 and is funded by CDC’s Division of Population Health.

What Members Do

Members implement interventions and solutions that use policies, systems, and environment approaches to reduce risk for ADRD, especially among populations affected by health disparities. The DRRRN works to fill existing gaps in knowledge related to the effectiveness of interventions among people in the earliest stages of cognitive decline in delaying or preventing further progression of disease.

Members

• University of Illinois Chicago
• University of South Carolina at Columbia
• Washington University in St. Louis

Five PRCs work together to improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy. The network was established in 2007 and is funded by CDC’s Division of Population Health.

What Members Do
MEW Network members support and conduct epilepsy self-management intervention research and dissemination. Members engage with epilepsy and chronic disease stakeholders to raise awareness of epilepsy self-management strategies and programs, lead public awareness and dissemination strategies for the MEW Network programs and resources, and conduct replication studies and related research to increase the evidence of CDC MEW Network epilepsy self-management programs.

Members

• Emory University (coordinating center)
• University of Arizona
• University of Iowa
• New York University and City University of New York
• University of Washington

Learn more about the Managing Epilepsy Well Network.

NOPREN aims to improve nutrition and reduce obesity through policy research and evaluation. The network was established in 2009 and is funded by CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.

What Members Do
NOPREN members conduct research and evaluation on nutrition and obesity building the evidence base for effective policies that address food insecurity, prevent obesity and improve nutrition for all Americans. Their work informs high impact, scalable and cost-effective strategies for preventing obesity, improving nutrition and reducing health and societal costs associated with overweight and obesity. It also provides a framework and platform to communicate and disseminate research findings related to nutrition and obesity that can lead to policy, systems or environmental changes and more rapidly move evidence into intervention programs, shortening time from science to service in real world settings.

Coordinating Center

• University of California San Francisco

Learn more about the NOPREN network: Nutrition and Obesity Network.

PAPREN aims to increase physical activity  communities by working across sectors, focusing on factors that affect the built environment (e.g. land use policy, transportation policy), and integrating health equity into all policy efforts.

What Members Do
PAPREN members conduct physical activity research that informs high impact, scalable and cost-effective strategies for increasing population levels of physical activity and reducing health and societal costs associated with inadequate levels of physical activity. This thematic network provides a framework and platform to communicate and disseminate research findings related to physical activity that can lead to policy, systems or environmental changes and more rapidly move evidence into intervention programs, shortening time from science to service in real world settings.

Coordinating Center

• University of Massachusetts Medical School

Learn more about the Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network.