Key points
- CDC funds selected Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) to conduct Special Interest Projects (SIPs) to explore additional topics of interest and fill gaps in science.
- Some SIPs, called Thematic Research Networks, involve one or more PRCs working together to build communities of practice and advance specific topic areas.
- CDC currently funds 10 SIPs, including six Thematic Research Networks, each led by a coordinating PRC.
Special Interest Projects
CDC uses Special Interest Projects (SIPs) to enhance research in specific areas and fill gaps in scientific evidence.
There are 10 SIPs currently funded:
- Four SIPs are being led by individual PRCs.
- Six SIPs involve one or more PRCs working together to build communities of practice and advance specific topic areas, known as Thematic Research Networks.
Funded SIPs and topics of interest
- University of California, San Francisco PRC: Focus on prostate cancer.
- University of Minnesota PRC: Focus on ovarian and adult cancers.
- Rochester PRC: National Center for Deaf Health Research: Focus on child vaccination.
Pathway to Practice Resource Center
Thematic Research Networks
Thematic Research Networks are one or more PRCs funded to work together on a shared health issue, build communities of practice, and advance the field in a specific topic area.
Each network is:
- Managed by one PRC that serves as the coordinating center.
- Made up of collaborating PRCs or members from health departments, community organizations, and other academic organizations.
There are currently six funded Thematic Research Networks:
- Advancing Research in Immunization Services (ARISe) Network.
- Arthritis Management and Wellbeing Research Network (AMWRN).
- Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN).
- Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network.
- Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN).
- Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (PAPREN).
Each is described below.
1. Advancing Research in Immunization Services (ARISe) Network
Goal. The ARISe Network seeks to improve vaccination rates among varied populations.
History. This network started in 2024 with funding from CDC’s Immunization Services Division.
What members do
- Improve vaccination rates for populations facing barriers to healthcare access.
- Create vaccine promotion strategies.
- Explore and address the motivations for opting out of vaccinations.
Collaborating Centers
- Arizona Prevention Research Center.
- Prevention Research Center for Rural Health at University of Iowa.
- Prevention Research Center at UMass Chan Medical School.
- University of North Carolina Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
Coordinating Center: New York University & City University of New York Prevention Research Center
- Principal Investigator: Lauren Taylor, PhD
2. Arthritis Management and Wellbeing Research Network (AMWRN)
Goal. AMWRN works to improve quality of life for people with arthritis.
History. This network started in 2024 with funding from CDC’s Division of Population Health.
What members do
- Promote solutions that help reduce the impacts of arthritis.
- Increase access to care for arthritis patients.
- Improve arthritis-specific health outcomes, such as pain and physical function.
Collaborating Centers
- Mountain West Prevention Research Center at University of Utah.
- University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center.
Coordinating Center: University of North Carolina Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Principal Investigator: Leigh Callahan, PhD
3. Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN)
Goal. CPCRN focuses on reducing the burden of cancer through community-engaged research.
History. CPCRN started in 2002 with funding from CDC’s Division of Cancer Prevention and Control.
What members do
- Research the promotion and use of proven cancer programs.
- Work to increase the use of these programs in communities.
Collaborating Centers
- Emory Prevention Research Center.
- Georgia State University Prevention Research Center.
- Mountain West Prevention Research Center at University of Utah.
- New York University & City University of New York Prevention Research Center.
- Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health.
- Prevention Research Center for Rural Health at University of Iowa.
- University of Pennsylvania Prevention Research Center.
- University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center.
Coordinating Center: University of North Carolina Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- Principal Investigator: Stephanie Wheeler, PhD, MPH
4. Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network
Goal. The MEW Network focuses on improving the quality of life for people with epilepsy.
History. MEW started in 2007 with funding from CDC’s Division of Population Health.
What members do
- Research epilepsy self-management strategies and programs.
- Promote strategies for MEW programs and resources.
- Increase evidence of MEW epilepsy self-management programs.
Collaborating Centers
- Arizona Prevention Research Center.
- New York University & City University of New York Prevention Research Center.
Coordinating Center: Emory Prevention Research Center
- Principal Investigator: Cam Escoffery, PhD, MPH, CHES
5. Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN)
Goal. NOPREN focuses on policies and practices to improve nutrition and prevent obesity.
History. NOPREN started in 2009 with funding from CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.
What members do
- Research strategies to improve nutrition and reduce obesity.
- Work to reduce costs related to overweight and obesity.
- Share research findings that can shorten time from science to service.
Collaborators. Collaborating organizations include health departments, community organizations, and/or other academic organizations.
Coordinating Center
- University of California, San Francisco Prevention Research Center.
- Principal Investigator: Jesus Ramirez-Valles, PhD, MPH
6. Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (PAPREN)
Goal. PAPREN focuses on increasing physical activity in communities by examining factors that affect the built environment and weaving health equity into all policy efforts.
History. PAPREN started in 2004 with funding from CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.
What members do
- Research strategies to increase physical activity.
- Work to reduce costs related to low levels of physical activity.
- Share research findings that can shorten time from science to service.
Collaborators. Collaborating organizations include health departments, community organizations, and/or other academic organizations.
Coordinating Center
- Prevention Research Center at UMass Chan Medical School.
- Principal Investigator: Stephenie Lemon, PhD, MS