Posted 07/11/2007

Frongillo named to panel of experts supporting
 greater role for U.S. in global health research

Dr. Edward A. Frongillo, a professor at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health, has been named to a group of leading health experts supporting greater U.S. public and private investment in global health research. 

Frongillo joins 50 colleagues as an ambassador in Research!America’s Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research.  

“Health conditions in poor countries around the world are crying out for somebody to help - that somebody should be the United States,” said Frongillo. 

Frongillo noted that a recent case in which an Atlanta, Ga.  man traveled abroad with a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis proves that diseases cannot be contained within any country’s borders.    

Frongillo is an internationally recognized educator and researcher in nutritional sciences, who serves as the chair of the Arnold School’s Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. 

In addition to his administrative duties Frongillo has been a consultant for the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Bank, the USDA’s food and Nutrition Service, other international and national organizations and the private sector.  

He will work to raise the visibility of global health research through the news media and in meetings with policymakers, opinion leaders and the public. One of his central messages will be to stress the importance of effective collaboration among the nation’s government, industry, academic, patient advocacy and philanthropic research sectors. 

Arnold School Dean Dr. Donna Richter said Frongillo’s appointment demonstrates his international stature as a distinguished researcher and brings recognition to the Arnold School as well for its contributions on the international public research front. 

“In our global society, health issues extend across all borders and have international implications. We are extremely proud that Dr. Frongillo has been chosen as a contributor to this important group and its crucial mission.”            

“Investing in global health research is the smart thing to do for America and the right thing to do for the world,” said former Michigan Rep. John Edward Porter, chair of the society’s advisory council and Research!America board chair. “Dr. Frongillo has personally seen the value of saving lives and protecting health around the world, and his insights will help bring this important story to more Americans.” 

The society, named for former Florida Rep. Paul G. Rogers, a champion for research to improve health, was established in 2006 by Research!America with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

In its first two years, the society’s advisory council — which includes three Nobel Laureates—selected 50 of the nation’s leading scientist advocates to serve as ambassadors.  

Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, it is supported by 500 member organizations.

For more information:

   •  Research!America website