[BGES Roster]

The Behavioral Genetics and Epidemiology [BGES] Study Section reviews applications for multi-level, multi-contextual studies, behavioral genetics and heritability studies, and behavioral epidemiologic studies which seek an understanding of the origins, multiple etiologies, natural histories, and consequences of a wide range of behaviors, disorders, diseases, normal functioning, and public health concerns. Applications may include qualitative and quantitative methods and may integrate multiple factors and multiple levels of analysis from the biological to social and cultural levels. Studies may use multidisciplinary perspectives and focus on interactions among individual, family, group, and community factors in either the general population or defined subpopulations with special needs such as the very young, the elderly, minority groups, and those at risk for drug and alcohol abuse and transmission of HIV, TB, HBV, and HCV. Studies may include factors which influence temporal trends, such as economic conditions and beliefs of historic cohorts, and may address the etiologies and consequences of behaviors, physical, mental, and substance abuse problems and the aging process as they vary across individuals, families, generation, age, sex, and populations with different predisposing or protective factors and co-morbid conditions.

Specific areas covered by BGES:

• Multi-level, multi-contextual studies, including studies of development, health, risk, resilience, disease, and risky behaviors embedded within the context of biological, psychological, social, environmental, and cultural factors. This includes, but is not limited to, studies of interactive effects of risk and protective factors within the individual, family, neighborhood, and environment on physical, psychiatric and/or substance use disorders, recovery, and/or sustained health. Studies may focus simultaneously on multiple levels, pathways, and causes of normal and problem behaviors. Studies may examine the cumulative impact of multiple interacting factors affecting different stages of human development, clinical course, or range of outcomes to identify factors that appear to exert influence and to examine direct and mediating factors. Studies may focus on aspects of normal development and competencies; effects of technological change on health and human functioning; precocious and delayed development as functions of biologic, environmental and experiential factors; and emerging issues.
  
  
• Behavioral genetic studies, including studies of the heritability, familial/kinship, parental, social, and environmental influences on the phenotypic expression of genotypes. Studies include population-based or clinically-ascertained family, twin, and adoption studies that incorporate environmental risk factor identification and measurement.
  
  
• Behavioral epidemiology, including descriptive, analytic, and genetic epidemiology in both general and specific population groups and international cross-cultural studies. Surveys, surveillance, and related behavioral and social studies are included that are informative of trends and emerging health-related problems and issues.
  
  
• Natural catastrophes and traumatic events, including studies of individual, familial, group, and community factors and dynamics that may predispose and/or result from natural catastrophes and traumatic events affecting a population or region [e.g., fire, hurricane, terrorism, violence, and crime]. Studies may nest in-depth studies of individuals, community characteristics, expectations, trauma from prior experience, decision-making, group process, short and long term consequences and develop theoretical models of the impact of such events.

BGES has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG:

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]: BMRD also reviews applications that focus on high-risk behavior, that are multi-level, or that emphasize the relationships between socioenvironmental factors and health-related behavior. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon the development of new statistical methodology or the improvement of existing research designs may be reviewed by BMRD.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: CLHP and CIHB also review applications that focus upon high-risk behavior. Applications that rely primarily upon genetic factors or emphasize use of epidemiological methods may be reviewed in BGES.
  
  
• With Cardiovascular and Sleep Epidemiology [CASE]; Epidemiology of Cancer [EPIC]; Infectious Diseases, Reproductive Health, Asthma and Pulmonary Conditions [IRAP[; Kidney, Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes [KNOD]; and Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology [NAME]: These study sections also review applications that include behavioral risk factors. Applications that are primarily behavioral may be reviewed in BGES, while applications that are primarily biomedical may be assigned to CASE, EPIC, IRAP, KNOD or NAME, depending upon the substantive focus of the application and the condition(s) being studied.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: NSAA and NSCF also review applications that focus on high-risk behavior, that are multi-level, or that emphasize the relationships between socioenvironmental factors and health-related behavior. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon nursing care and research relating to nursing interventions in patient care may be reviewed by NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age groups being studied.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applications that focus upon high-risk behavior, that are multi-level, or that emphasize the relationships between socioenvironmental factors and health-related behavior. Applications that emphasize determination of health status at the community level or that emphasize behavior related to family structure, human reproduction, or population mobility may be reviewed in SSPS.

BGES has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG:

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG:  Applications that focus on the genetic etiology of a disease could be reviewed by the GGG IRG. Applications with a primary focus on genetics as a risk factor in an epidemiologic study could be reviewed by BGES.
  
  
• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: Grant applications focused on behavioral genetics may be reviewed in BGES. Grant applications focused on the design, development, and introduction of technology in support of genetic systems may be reviewed in BST.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: Studies of personality, motivation, social roles, interpersonal processes and social cognitive processes may be assigned to the RPHB IRG. If such studies are nested within multi-level, multi-contextual studies dealing with interrelationships among individual, familial [biologic, genetic and/or environmental factors], social, and cultural factors and behaviors, disorders, and diseases, they may be assigned to BGES. Studies of interventions to treat or manage disabling physical or cognitive impairment, studies closely related to intervention development, and studies of factors that influence persons to seek health care may be assigned to RPHB. Studies that are not closely related to interventions and that focus on the interaction of biobehavioral and socio-environmental factors with regard to the etiology, course, prevalence, and consequences of other behaviors, health disorders, and diseases may be assigned to BGES. Epidemiological studies of risk and protective factors may be assigned to BGES.
  
  
• With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG:  Studies of child and adult disorders generally may be assigned to the BBBP IRG. However, applications with studies nested within multi-level, multi-contextual studies focusing on the interrelationships among individual, familial [biologic, genetic and/or environmental factors], social, and cultural factors and behaviors in the etiology, natural history, and consequences of disorders and diseases may be assigned to BGES. Epidemiological studies of risk and protective factors may be assigned to BGES.
  
  
• Study Sections in NIAAA, NIDA and NIMH may review applications in treatment and health services research. For more information, see the Institute's respective Web sites.

[BMRD Roster] 

The Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD] Study Section reviews applications that focus primarily upon advancing techniques and technologies that address important statistical and mathematical problems, research design and methodological issues, and the modeling of phenomena relevant to biomedical, behavioral and scientific research. BMRD reviews generic methodological research that can improve the validity, reliability, or precision of measures; the development of statistical theory and mathematical models to analyze data, clinical trial intervention studies, and non-behavioral basic science; statistical research targeted at data structures developed in clinical trials; advanced ways of using computers and/or new testing technology, or computational modeling techniques with existing data sets; or applying techniques from other disciplines [e.g., genetics, neurology, computer science] to behavioral and social science topics, as well as other biomedical areas of research. The emphasis and main focus of applications should be upon the methods, statistics, or modeling techniques.  

Specific areas covered by BMRD: 

• Data collection, including processes associated with self-reports; validity, reliability, precision of measurements; self-disclosure of stigmatized and illegal behaviors or rare phenomena; computer-assisted interviews and data collection; biomedical or biobehavioral measures, testing, and evaluations; physiological measures of behavioral phenomena [e.g., fatigue]; and techniques for incorporating the collection of biological specimens in behavioral and social science as well as other areas of biomedical research.
  
  
• Research design, including sample selection, completion, and bias estimation; research designs for complex interdisciplinary studies; novel clinical trials design, multiple sub-studies within clinical trials and cohort/longitudinal design; integration of qualitative, quantitative, clinical, and historical data collection.
  
  
• Advanced statistical issues, including development of theory and models that might include new approaches in Bayesian methodology; regression artifacts; application of smoothing distributions; heteroskedasticity; statistical problems; statistical and methodological issues in clinical trials; medical signals, images, and statistical analyses.
  
   
• Analytic methods and modeling, including theoretical and methodological issues in meta analysis; modeling measurement error; generalized linear models; statistical issues for large data sets for missing observations or non-response; statistical models of the progression, transmission, and spread of diseases and conditions; demographic modeling; modeling of social networks and family tree and kin networks; connectionist/neural network models of social, psychological and biobehavioral processes; event history analysis; computer simulation; mathematical modeling; graphic information systems; and analytic methods and modeling of qualitative data. Software development. 

BMRD has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• BMRD reviews applications that emphasize the development of new statistical methods or the improvement of research design, and these applications may involve any of the variables included in the other Study Sections within the HOP IRG. Applications that emphasize the development of new statistical methods or the improvement of established research designs can be reviewed by BMRD. Applications that rely primarily upon existing statistical methods or research designs may be reviewed by other study sections within HOP, depending upon the subject matter. 

BMRD has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG: 

• Other IRGs: BMRD reviews applications that emphasize the development of new statistical methods or the improvement of research design, and these applications may involve many of the variables included in other Study Sections outside the HOP IRG.  Applications that rely primarily upon existing statistical methods or research designs may be reviewed by other study sections within these IRGs, depending upon the subject matter.
  
  
• Study Sections in NIAAA, NIDA and NIMH may review applications in treatment and health services research. For more information, see their web sites.

[CLHP Roster] 

CLHP has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG:

·         With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG:  Applications that center on adaptive or maladaptive interpersonal processes and risk behaviors in one or more settings (e.g., peer group, family, marriage) may be assigned to the RPHB IRG. Studies that focus primarily upon examination of these processes within the broader social context (e.g., neighborhood, community, policy) may be assigned to CLHP.  Studies of individual level interventions that primarily affect health risk behaviors by changing the knowledge, skills, and motivation of individuals without emphasis on macro- or community-level factors may be assigned to the RPHB IRG. Studies of interventions that operate primarily through community-level interventions or organizations such as schools, churches, or worksites or that involve environmental or policy change may be assigned to CLHP.

 

·         With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: Studies of personality disorders that focus on socioenvironmental interventions at the macro- or community level could be assigned to CLHP. Studies that focus on the individual level could be assigned to the BBBP IRG.

·          With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG: Studies of interventions to influence behavior related to cancer prevention or treatment and that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) may be referred to CLHP. Studies focused on cancer biology or treatment could be assigned to the ONC IRG.

·          With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Studies of interventions to influence behavior related to cardiovascular health that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) may be referred to CLHP. Applications on cardiovascular diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the CVS IRG.

·          With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Studies of interventions to influence behavior related to human nutrition patterns, diabetes or obesity that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) may be referred to CLHP. Applications on diabetes, obesity or nutritional diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the EMNR IRG.

·        With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: Studies of interventions to influence behavior related to oral and dental health, osteoporosis and other bone diseases, arthritis and dermatological conditions and that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) may be referred to CLHP. Applications on the musculoskeletal, oral or skin diseases, disorders or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the MOSS IRG.

·         Study Sections in NIAAA, NIDA and NIMH may review applications in treatment and health services research. For more information, see the Institutes' respective web sites.

[CIHB Roster] 

The Community Influences on Health Behavior Study Section reviews applications that examine the broader socioenvironmental contexts in which health, disease, health-related behavior, and normal development are embedded, including those applications that examine the interaction of socioenvironmental factors with individual factors. Basic studies may investigate social, cultural, and other socioenvironmental factors and processes and their inter-relationships with a broad range of outcomes, including mental and physical health, illness and disorder, risk and protective behaviors and behavior change, health beliefs and attitudes, and normal development and functioning across the lifespan.  Applications may include those that plan to develop and test theories or methods and dissemination studies.  Research approaches may include ethnographic and other qualitative methods; quantitative and mixed-method studies; cross-sectional, longitudinal, or cohort comparison designs; experimental and quasi-experimental designs; studies that focus on more than one period or transition of the life course; and international studies. 

Specific areas covered by CIHB: 

• Socioenvironmental influences on health, behavior, and development, including studies with primary emphasis on socioenvironmental factors, which may include social class, socioeconomic conditions, cultural factors and processes, institutions, social organization, social networks, neighborhood and regional characteristics, media, policies, social and family group membership, and racial and ethnic identity. Examples include studies that: identify and elaborate social and cultural risk and protective influences; explore complex inter-relationships among economic, social, cultural, and environmental influences and health-related outcomes; examine the relationship between laws, law enforcement, or criminal justice institutions on health-related decision-making and behavior change; examine the relationship between advertising, media, and health communications on health behaviors and the influence of ethnic identity and cultural norms on health risk knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.
  
  
• Studies of the social, cultural, and socioenvironmental contexts in which health, disease, behavior and normal development are embedded. These include basic studies of social and cultural processes that are relevant to health and development, such as acculturation, diffusion, ideational change, meaning of health and illness, family structure and functioning, networks and social support, power relations, economic inequality, ethnic, racial and class identity, and social, cultural, institutional, and community change.
  
  
• Social environment change, including prevention approaches based on policy development, change, and enforcement; legal analyses of policies and their implementation; information dissemination; health promotion; organization or reorganization in communities, schools, worksites or other relevant environment settings. These may be directed toward the general population or at-risk groups and utilize multiple social contexts of influence [e.g., schools, worksites, religious and non-sectarian organizations, community networks, media and advertising].  

CIHB has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• With Behavioral Genetics and Epidemiology [BGES]: BGES also reviews applications that focus upon high-risk behavior. Applications that focus primarily upon genetic factors or that emphasize the use of epidemiological methods may be reviewed in BGES.
  
  
• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]: BMRD also reviews applications that attempt to establish the relationship between socioenvironmental factors and health and health-related outcomes. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon the development of new statistical methodology or the improvement of existing research designs may be reviewed by BMRD.
  
  
• With Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: CLHP also reviews applications that focus upon applications that examine the broader socioenvironmental contexts in which health, disease, health-related behavior, and normal development are embedded, including those applications that examine the interaction of socioenvironmental factors with individual factors.  Applications that include a primary focus on an intervention or a natural experiment may be reviewed in CLHP.
  
  
• With Health Services Organization and Delivery [HSOD]: HSOD also reviews applications that explore complex inter-relationships among economic, social, cultural, and environmental influences and health and health-related outcomes. Applications that focus on the delivery or organization of professional health services may be reviewed by HSOD.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: NSAA and NSCF also review applications that attempt to establish the relationship between socioenvironmental factors and health and health-related outcomes. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon nursing care and research relating to nursing interventions in patient care may be reviewed by NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age groups being studied.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applications that focus upon high-risk behavior, that are multi-level, or that emphasize the relationships between socioenvironmental factors and health related behavior. Applications that emphasize determination of health status at the community level or that emphasize behavior related to family structure, human reproduction, or population mobility may be reviewed in SSPS.

 CIHB has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG:

• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: Applications that focus on adaptive or maladaptive interpersonal processes and risk behavior or personality and motivational and social cognitive processes without emphasis on macro-level influences or institutions may be reviewed by the RPHB IRG. Studies that focus primarily upon examination of these processes within the broader macro-level social context [e.g., neighborhood, community, policy] may be assigned to CIHB.
  
  
• With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: Studies of personality disorders that focus on socioenvironmental and community level characteristics may be assigned to CIHB. Studies that focus on the individual level may be assigned to the BBBP IRG.
  
  
• With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG: The ONC IRG also reviews applications directed toward the prevention and treatment of cancer. Studies to influence behavior related to these conditions and that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) and that do not involve an intervention may be referred to CIHB. Applications dealing with chemoprevention and modulation of cancer risks could be assigned to the ONC IRG.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Studies that examine risky and/or protective behaviors related to cardiovascular health that also emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) and do not involve an intervention may be referred to CIHB. Applications on cardiovascular diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the CVS IRG.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Studies of risk and/or protective factors regarding human nutrition patterns, or diabetes or obesity that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) and do not involve a community-based intervention may be referred to CIHB. Applications on diabetes, obesity or nutritional diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the EMNR IRG.
  
  
• With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: The MOSS IRG also reviews applications directed toward the prevention and treatment of oral and dental health, osteoporosis and other bone diseases, arthritis and dermatological conditions. Studies to influence behavior related to these conditions and that emphasize a community or societal context (e.g., worksite, church, school, mass media) and that do not involve an intervention may be referred to CIHB. Applications on the diseases, disorders or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the MOSS IRG.
  
  
•  Study sections in NIAAA, NIDA and NIMH may review applications in treatment and health services research. For more information, see the Institutes' respective web sites.

[CASE Roster] 

The Cardiovascular and Sleep Epidemiology [CASE] Study Section reviews applications on epidemiologic research in cardiovascular and sleep conditions. 

Specific areas covered by CASE: 

• The general characteristics of the distribution of cardiovascular conditions (including myocardial ischemia and infarction, cardiac hypertrophy and failure, cardiovascular arrhythmia, vascular hemodymanics and inflammation and atherosclerosis) and sleep conditions (including insomnia, sleep apnea and narcolepsy) in human populations in relation to time, place, and personal characteristics.
  
  
• Elucidation of the determinants of cardiovascular and sleep conditions by assembling groups of individuals to determine systematically whether the risk of disease/condition is different for individuals who are exposed or not exposed to specific factors (or combinations of factors) of interest. These may be either risk or protective factors.
  
  
• Development and improvement of research designs and methodologies addressing epidemiologic questions in cardiovascular and sleep conditions.
  
  

CASE has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]: BMRD also reviews applications dealing with epidemiologic methods and research design. If the primary emphasis of the application is to develop new statistical methodologies, the application may be reviewed in BMRD. If the focus is on improving existing methodologies for epidemiologic research related to cardiovascular and sleep conditions, the application may be assigned to CASE.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: CIHB and CLHP also review applications dealing with cardiovascular or sleep conditions and their risk factors. If the primary focus of the proposed study is cardiovascular or sleep conditions or their risk factors and if the application emphasizes community or societal institutions such as school, church, work site, or mass media, the application may be reviewed by CIHB or CLHP, depending upon whether a community-based intervention is involved.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: The NSAA and NSCF Study Sections also review applications dealing with cardiovascular or sleep conditions. When the primary focus is on nursing science, the application may be assigned to NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age range involved. An application may be assigned to CASE when it is an overall epidemiological study.
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applications dealing with the incidence and prevalence of morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular conditions or sleep conditions. Applications that rely primarily upon epidemiologic methods may be reviewed by CASE. Applications relating levels of morbidity and mortality to demographic or socioenvironmental factors or the effects of public policy on morbidity or mortality levels may be reviewed by SSPS.
  
  

CASE has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG: 

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: CASE has extensive shared interests with GGG for applications involving using genetic epidemiology to study cardiovascular or sleep conditions. The level of molecular and genetic technology relative to epidemiology needs to be considered before assigning to CASE. More genetically technical applications could be reviewed by GGG. Studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for CASE when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Genetic linkage studies could be reviewed by the GGG IRG or CASE. Molecular epidemiology studies alone or in combination with linkage studies could be reviewed in CASE. Genetic studies using animals could be assigned to GGG or another IRG, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: RPHB also reviews applications dealing with variations in risk behavior. Epidemiologic studies examining behavior as a risk factor could be referred to CASE. Non-epidemiologic studies with a behavioral intervention component to change health behavior could be referred to RPHB, depending upon whether the emphasis is on the individual or the community level context.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: CVS also reviews applications dealing with cardiovascular conditions. Primary preventive clinical trials with an emphasis on cardiovascular health may be reviewed in CASE. Other clinical trials with an emphasis on cardiovascular conditions may be reviewed in CVS. Epidemiologic studies of cardiovascular conditions could be reviewed in CASE. Nonintervention studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for CASE when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. All other applications whose emphasis is on cardiovascular disease could be reviewed in the CVS IRG. Non-epidemiologic applications on the diseases, disorders, genetics or functional consequences of behaviors associated with the cardiovascular system could be assigned to CVS. Applications that focus on physiologic mechanisms related to cardiovascular conditions, including genetic studies, may be assigned to CVS. Applications that focus on the general characteristics, at a population level, with respect to the risk or protective factors that might lead to cardiovascular conditions may be referred to CASE. Animal studies could be reviewed in CVS or another IRG, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.
  
  
• With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG: RES also reviews applications dealing with sleep apnea. Primary preventive clinical trials with an emphasis on sleep apnea may be reviewed in CASE. Other clinical trials with an emphasis on sleep apnea may be reviewed in RES. Epidemiologic studies of sleep apnea could be reviewed in CASE. Nonintervention studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for CASE when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. All other applications whose emphasis is on sleep apnea could be reviewed in the CVS IRG. Non-epidemiologic applications on the diseases, disorders, genetics or functional consequences of behaviors associated with the respiratory system could be assigned to RES. Applications that focus on physiologic mechanisms related to sleep apnea, including genetic studies, may be assigned to RES. Applications that focus on the general characteristics, at a population level, with respect to the risk or protective factors that might lead to sleep apnea may be referred to CASE. Animal studies of sleep apnea or cardiovascular conditions related to respiratory factors could be reviewed in RES.
  
  
• With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] and the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience [IFCN] IRGs: BDCN and IFCN also review applications dealing with sleep disorders/conditions. Primary preventive clinical trials with an emphasis on sleep disorders/conditions may be reviewed in CASE. Other clinical trials with an emphasis on sleep disorders/conditions may be reviewed in BDCN or IFCN, depending upon the focus of the application. Epidemiologic studies of sleep disorders/conditions could be reviewed in CASE. Nonintervention studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for CASE when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. All other applications whose emphasis is on sleep disorders/conditions could be reviewed in BDCN or IFCN, depending upon the primary thrust of the application. Non-epidemiologic applications on the diseases, disorders, genetics or functional consequences of behaviors associated with the neurological system could be assigned to BDCN or IFCN, depending upon the primary thrust of the application. Applications that focus on physiologic mechanisms related to sleep disorders/conditions, including genetic studies, may be assigned to BDCN or IFCN, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.  Applications that focus on the general characteristics, at a population level, with respect to the risk or protective factors that might lead to sleep apnea may be referred to CASE. Animal studies of sleep disorders/conditions could be reviewed in BDCN or IFCN, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.

[EPIC Roster] 

The Epidemiology of Cancer [EPIC] Study Section reviews applications on epidemiologic studies in the areas of cancer.

Specific areas covered by EPIC: 

• General characteristics of the distribution of cancer (including cancer of the breast, prostate, digestive system, reproductive system, and lung) in human populations in relation to time, place, and personal characteristics.
  
  
• Elucidation of the determinants of cancer by assembling groups of individuals to determine systematically whether the risk of disease/condition is different for individuals who are exposed or not exposed to specific factors (or combinations of factors) of interest. These may be either risk or protective factors.
  
  
• Development and improvement of research designs and methodologies addressing epidemiologic questions in cancer. 

EPIC has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]: BMRD also reviews applications dealing with epidemiologic methods and research design. If the primary emphasis of the application is to develop new statistical methodologies, the application may be reviewed by BMRD. If the focus is on improving existing methodologies for epidemiologic research related to cancer, the application may be assigned to EPIC.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: CIHB and CLHP also review applications dealing with cancer and its risk factors. If the primary focus of the proposed study is on cancer or its risk factors and if the application emphasizes community or societal institutions such as school, church, work site, or mass media, the application may be reviewed by CIHB or CLHP, depending upon whether a community-based intervention is involved.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: The NSAA and NSCF Study Sections also review applications in cancer. When the primary focus is on nursing science, the application may be assigned to NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age range involved. An application may be assigned to EPIC when it is an overall epidemiological study of cancer.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applications dealing with the incidence and prevalence of morbidity and mortality due to cancer. Applications that rely primarily upon epidemiologic methods may be reviewed by EPIC. Applications relating levels of morbidity and mortality to demographic or socioenvironmental factors or the effects of public policy on morbidity or mortality levels may be reviewed by SSPS. 

EPIC has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG: 

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG:  EPIC has extensive shared interests with GGG for applications involving genetic epidemiologyl. The evel of molecular and genetic technology relative to epidemiology needs to be considered before assigning applications in genetic epidemiology to EPIC. More technical applications could be reviewed by GGG. Studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for EPIC when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Genetic linkage studies could go to either the GGG IRG or to EPIC. Molecular epidemiology studies alone or in combination with linkage studies could be reviewed in EPIC. Genetic studies using animals could be assigned to GGG or another IRG, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: The RPHB IRG also reviews applications dealing with variations in risk behavior. Epidemiologic studies examining behavior as a risk factor could be referred to EPIC. Non-epidemiologic studies with a behavioral intervention component to change health behavior could be referred to RPHB or EPIC, depending upon whether the emphasis is on the individual or the community level context.
  
  
• With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] IRG: Clinical trials to study infectious disease factors related to cancer may be reviewed in the IDM IRG. Epidemiologic studies of infectious disease factors related to cancer could be reviewed in EPIC. Cancer studies related to infectious agents with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for EPIC when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Studies of cancer that employ epidemiological methods and that use persons or groups of persons as the unit of observation may be reviewed in EPIC. Studies employing epidemiologic methods that use cellular or subcellular units of observation to study cancer or when the epidemiology focuses on the non-human disease vector or the genetic identity of the disease subspecies could be assigned to the IDM IRG. 
  
  
• With the Oncological Sciences [ONC] IRG: The ONC IRG also reviews applications to study cancer. Clinical trials to study cancer could be reviewed in ONC. Epidemiologic and genetic epidemiologic studies of cancer may be reviewed in EPIC. Studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for EPIC when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. All other applications whose emphasis is on cancer could be reviewed in the ONC IRG. Animal studies of cancer (including nutritional or hormonal studies) could be reviewed in ONC or another IRG depending upon the primary thrust of the application.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: EMNR also reviews applications dealing with cancer. Studies of the metabolic consequences and nutritional evaluation of non-behavioral dietary interventions are more appropriate for EMNR. Studies that utilize methodologies focusing on regulation at cellular and molecular level could be assigned to EMNR. Clinical trials in the metabolic consequences and nutritional evaluation of dietary practices could be reviewed in EMNR. Applications may be assigned to EPIC when nutritional evaluation or practices are part of an overall epidemiological study of cancer. Nutritional or hormonal studies of cancer with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for EPIC when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Animal studies of the metabolic consequences and nutritional evaluation of non-behavioral dietary interventions could be reviewed in EMNR.
  
  
• With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG: EPIC reviews epidemiologic studies of human beings related to lung cancer, while RES reviews lung pre-cancerous studies in animals or in human cell lines or tissues.

[IRAP Roster] 

The Infectious Diseases, Reproductive Health, Asthma and Pulmonary Conditions [IRAP] Study Section reviews applications on epidemiologic research in infectious disease, reproductive health, asthma/allergy and other non-malignant lung disorders/conditions. 

Specific areas covered by IRAP: 

• The distribution of infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions in human populations in relation to time, place, environmental exposures, and personal characteristics or behaviors.
  
  
• Infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions that focus on the general characteristics, at a population level, with respect to the risk or protective factors that may lead to these conditions.
  
  
• The determinants of infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy and non-malignant pulmonary conditions studied by assembling groups of individuals to determine systematically whether the risk of disease/condition is different for individuals who are exposed or not exposed to specific factors (or combinations of factors) of interest.  These may be either risk or protective factors.
  
  
• Elucidation of the causative agents of infection, including bacterial, viral, helminthic, fungal, protozoal, parasitic and other agents such as prions, as they relate to reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary disease in human populations.
  
  
• Elucidation of the agent-human host-environment triangle that emphasizes the effects of interactions among agents, human hosts, and environmental factors on the emergence, spread, and epidemiologic control of infectious diseases in the human populations. Microbial agents and other non-human living entities part of the chain of transmission as either vectors or reservoirs for human disease are included as environmental factors.
  
  
• Elucidation of the etiologic pathways to infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, or non-malignant pulmonary diseases/conditions using the full range of epidemiologic inquiry, including molecular, genetic, laboratory, or clinical measures within the context of an epidemiologic study design.
  
  
• Prevention trials in all settings that address infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, or non-malignant pulmonary conditions.
  
  
• Transmission of disease from animals to humans where the outcome of primary interest is human disease.
  
  
• Risk factors for emerging infections, some which may have bioterrorism potential, that result in spread of disease in human populations and strategies for control at the population level.
  
  
• Laboratory-based research when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data to be collected by methods that are largely already developed.
  
  
• Development and improvement of research designs and methodologies addressing epidemiologic questions in infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions.
  
  

IRAP has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• With Behavioral Genetics and Epidemiology [BGES]:  Studies that focus primarily on genetically-determined and environmentally-acquired behaviors that facilitate transmission of infectious agents may be reviewed in BGES, while studies of infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions that result from bio-behavioral issues could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]: Studies that focus on epidemiologic methods and research design may be reviewed in BMRD, while studies that focus on the utilization of existing epidemiologic methods and research design for studies of infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: Studies that focus on community or societal institutions and community-level  interventions to control infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy and nonmalignant lung conditions may be reviewed in CIHB or CLHP, while studies that focus on the individual may be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Cardiovascular and Sleep Epidemiology [CASE]: Studies that focus primarily on the cardiac and sleep outcomes of agent, host, and environmental characteristics and exposures may be reviewed in CASE, while studies that focus primarily on the asthma/allergy and non-malignant pulmonary outcomes could be reviewed in IRAP. Studies that focus primarily on sleep as an outcome may be reviewed in CASE, while studies that focus primarily on sleep disorders as risk factors for infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary outcomes could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Epidemiology of Cancer [EPIC]:  Studies that focus primarily on the neoplastic outcomes of infectious agents may be reviewed in EPIC, while studies that focus on the epidemiology of the oncogenic agent could be reviewed in IRAP. Studies that focus on malignant reproductive and malignant pulmonary diseases may be reviewed in EPIC, while studies that focus on non-malignant reproductive and non-malignant pulmonary diseases could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Kidney, Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes [KNOD]: Studies that focus primarily on kidney diseases, nutritional processes, diabetes, and gastrointestinal conditions as outcomes may be reviewed in KNOD, while studies that focus on gastrointestinal pathogens, nutritional processes, and kidney disease as risk factors for infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology [NAME]: Studies that focus primarily on neurologic, arthritic and musculoskeletal conditions and epilepsy may be reviewed in NAME, while studies that focus on neurologic and musculoskeletal pathogens and conditions as risk factors for infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: Studies that focus on nursing science standards of care and interventions as outcomes may be reviewed by NSAA and NSCF, while issues related to nursing care that are either protective or risk factors for infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, or non-malignant pulmonary outcomes could be reviewed in IRAP.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: Studies that examine infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary outcomes in terms of demographic or socio-environmental issues as the outcomes may be reviewed in SSPS, while studies that rely primary on epidemiologic methods could be reviewed in IRAP.

 IRAP has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG: 

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: Studies that focus primarily on molecular and genetic technology and animal genetics may be reviewed by the GGG IRG, while studies on genetic epidemiology and gene-environment interactions in the etiology of human infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions could be reviewed by IRAP.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: Studies that focus primarily on non-epidemiologic studies with a behavioral intervention component to change health behaviors related to infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions may be reviewed by the RPHB IRG, while epidemiologic studies that examine behavior as a risk factor could be reviewed by IRAP, especially if the emphasis is on the individual rather than the community.
  
  
• With the Immunology [IMM] IRG: Studies that focus primarily on immunologic factors, vaccine development, and animal studies in the areas of infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions may be reviewed in the IMM IRG, while epidemiologic studies of humans may be reviewed by IRAP.
  
  
• With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] IRG: Studies that focus primarily on the non-human disease vector/reservoir, the genetic identity of the organism, and special characteristics of the infectious agent such as virulence or adhesion factors may be reviewed by the IDM IRG, while etiologic studies of infectious, reproductive, asthma/allergy, and non-malignant pulmonary conditions in humans could be reviewed by IRAP. Studies appropriate to IRAP include prevention trials, whereas treatment trials may be appropriate to either IDM or IRAP depending on whether the outcome of interest is the agent or the condition as it appears in humans. Studies that focus on modes of transmission in humans, studies employing molecular techniques, and studies based in clinical settings may be reviewed in IRAP if the study is epidemiologic in nature and focuses on the human host. Studies that focus on characteristics of the vector/reservoir that determines transmission and spread and studies that are not epidemiologic in nature and based in clinical settings that focus on changes in agent characteristics as a function of treatment could be reviewed by IDM.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: Studies that focus primarily on maternal nutrition, pregnancy outcomes and neonatology and studies of the metabolic consequences and nutritional evaluation of non-behavioral dietary interventions may be reviewed by the EMNR IRG, while epidemiologic studies of these outcomes/conditions could be reviewed in IRAP. Studies that utilize methodologies focusing on regulation at cellular and molecular level and nutritional or hormonal studies in animals may be reviewed in the EMNR IRG, while nutritional or hormonal studies of humans with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for IRAP when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed.
  
  
• With the Respiratory Sciences [RES] IRG: Animal studies and studies on the physiologic effect of inhaled particles and gases, asthma/allergy, and cystic fibrosis may be reviewed by the RES IRG, while epidemiologic studies of asthma/allergy and non-malignant pulmonary conditions could be reviewed by IRAP.

[KNOD Roster] 

The Kidney, Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes [KNOD] Study Section reviews applications for descriptive and analytic epidemiologic research in kidney disease, nutrition and obesity, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (with multiple outcomes). 

Specific areas covered by KNOD:

• The general characteristics of the distribution of kidney diseases/conditions,nutritional processes, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (multiple outcomes) in human populations in relation to time, place, and personal characteristics.
  
  
• Elucidation of the determinants of kidney diseases/conditions, nutritional processes, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (multiple outcomes) in human populations in relation to time, place, and personal characteristics by assembling groups of individuals to determine systematically whether the risk of disease/condition is different for individuals who are exposed or not exposed to specific factors (or combinations of factors) of interest. These may be either risk or protective factors.
  
  
• Development and improvement of research designs and methodologies addressing epidemiologic questions in  kidney diseases/conditions, nutrition, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (multiple outcomes) in human populations in relation to time, place, and personal characteristics.

KNOD has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]:  BMRD also reviews applications dealing with epidemiologic methods and research design. If the primary thrust of the application is to develop new statistical methodologies, the application may be reviewed by BMRD. If the focus is on improving existing methodologies for epidemiologic research related to kidney diseases/conditions, nutrition, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (multiple outcomes), the application may be assigned to KNOD.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: CIHB and CLHP also review applications dealing with kidney disease, nutrition and obesity, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (with multiple outcomes). If the primary focus of the proposed study is on kidney disease, nutrition and obesity, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (with multiple outcomes), the application may be reviewed by KNOD; but if the application emphasizes community or societal institutions such as school, church, work site, or mass media the application may be reviewed by CIHB or CLHP, depending on whether a community-based intervention is involved.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: The NSAA and NSCF Study Sections also review applications dealing with kidney disease, nutrition and obesity, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (with multiple outcomes). When the primary focus is on nursing science, the application may be assigned to NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age range involved. An application may be assigned to KNOD when it is an overall epidemiological study.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applicationsdealing with the incidence and prevalence of kidney disease, nutrition and obesity, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (with multiple outcomes). Applications that rely primarily upon epidemiologic methods may be reviewed by KNOD. Applications relating levels of morbidity and mortality to demographic or socioenvironmental factors or the effects of public policy on morbidity or mortality levels may be reviewed by SSPS.

KNOD has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG:

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: KNOD has extensive shared interests with GGG for applications involving genetic epidemiology to study kidney diseases/conditions, nutritional processes, diabetes, gastro-intestinal conditions, and environmental influences on health (multiple outcomes). The level of genetic technology relative to epidemiology needs to be considered in assignment decisions between these two study sections. More technical applications could be reviewed by GGG. Studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for KNOD when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Genetic linkage studies could go to either the GGG IRG or to KNOD. Molecular epidemiology studies alone or in combination with linkage studies could be reviewed in KNOD. Genetic studies using animals could be assigned to GGG or another IRG, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: The RPHB IRG also reviews applications dealing with variations in risk behavior. Epidemiologic studies examining behavior as a risk factor could be referred to KNOD. Non-epidemiologic studies with a behavioral intervention component to change health behavior could be referred to RPHB or KNOD, depending upon whether the emphasis is upon the individual or the community level context.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: KNOD has shared interests with the EMNR IRG regarding nutrition, diabetes and obesity. Clinical trials may be reviewed in EMNR. Applications may be assigned to KNOD when nutritional evaluation or practices are part of an overall epidemiological study of diabetes and obesity. Studies of the metabolic consequences and nutritional evaluation of non-behavioral dietary interventions are more appropriate for EMNR. Studies that utilize methodologies focusing on regulation at cellular and molecular level could be assigned to EMNR. Nutritional or hormonal studies of diabetes or obesity in animals may be reviewed in either the EMNR or the DIG IRGs. Nutritional or hormonal studies of humans with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for KNOD when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Animal studies could be reviewed in EMNR.
  
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: DIG also reviews studies of digestive system disorders. Clinical trials of these conditions may be reviewed in DIG.Epidemiologic studies of digestive system disorders may generally be assigned to KNOD. Non-epidemiologic studies on digestive system diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the DIG IRG. Animal studies of these disorders may be assigned to the DIG IRG.
  
  
• With the Renal and Urological Sciences [RUS] IRG: KNOD has shared interests with the RUS IRG regarding renal and urological diseases and disorders. In general, epidemiologic studies of renal and urologic diseases are appropriate for review in KNOD. Animal studies and other non-epidemiologic studies of renal and urologic diseases may be reviewed in the RUS IRG.

[NAME Roster]

The Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology [NAME] Study Section reviews applications on epidemiologic research in neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Specific areas covered by NAME:

• The general characteristics of the distribution of the neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis  in human populations in relation to time, place, and personal characteristics.
  
  
• Elucidation of the determinants of the neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis by assembling groups of individuals to determine systematically whether the risk of disease/condition is different for individuals who are exposed or not exposed to specific factors (or combinations of factors) of interest. These may be either risk or protective factors.
  
  
• Development and improvement of research designs and methodologies addressing epidemiologic questions in the neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

NAME has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG:

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]:  BMRD also reviews applications dealing with epidemiologic methods and research design. If the primary thrust of the application is to develop new statistical methodologies, the application may be reviewed by BMRD. If the focus is on improving existing methodologies for epidemiologic research, the application may be assigned to NAME.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]:CIHB and CLHP also review applications dealing with neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. If the primary focus of the proposed study is on neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, then the application may be reviewed in NAME. But if the application emphasizes community or societal institutions such as school, church, work site, or mass media, the application may be reviewed by CIHB or CLHP, depending upon whether a community-based intervention is involved.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] or Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]:The NSAA and NSCF Study Sections also review applications dealing with neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.When the primary focus is on nursing science, the application may be assigned to NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age range involved. An application may be assigned to NAME when it is an overall epidemiological study.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applications dealing with the incidence and prevalence of  neurological disorders (including the epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease, dementias, stroke, Parkinson's Disease, and epilepsy), conditions related to human aging (including, falls and fractures, functional status, frailty, quality of life, health care use, and other areas as they relate to populations of older persons), and musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Applications that rely primarily upon epidemiologic methods may be reviewed by NAME. Applications relating levels of morbidity and mortality to demographic or socioenvironmental factors or the effects of public policy on morbidity or mortality levels may be reviewed by SSPS.

NAME has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG:

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: NAME has extensive shared interests with GGG for applications involving genetic epidemiology. The level of genetic technology to epidemiology needs to be considered in assignment decisions between these two study sections. More technical applications could be reviewed by GGG. Studies with substantial laboratory components are appropriate for NAME when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Genetic linkage studies could go to either the GGG IRG or to NAME. Molecular epidemiology studies alone or in combination with linkage studies could be reviewed in NAME. Genetic studies using animals could be assigned to GGG or another IRG, depending upon the primary thrust of the application.
  
  
• With the Biology and Development of Aging [BDA] IRG: Applications with a primary focus on the physiologic or biological processes of aging could be reviewed by BDA. However, applications with a primary approach on behavioral or social antecedents or outcomes and using epidemiologic approaches to dementia, mood disorders, behavioral prevention and management of physical diseases, and cognitive impairments could be reviewed by NAME.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG: The RPHB IRG also reviews applications dealing with variations in risk behavior. Epidemiologic studies examining behavior as a risk factor could be referred to NAME. Non-epidemiologic studies with a behavioral intervention component to change health behavior could be referred to RPHB or NAME, depending upon whether the emphasis is upon the individual or the community level context.
  
  
• With the Infectious Diseases and Microbiology [IDM] IRG: Studies that have substantial laboratory components are appropriate for NAME (depending upon the disease/condition being studied) when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. When epidemiology is a minor component or when the epidemiology focuses on the non-human disease vector or the genetic identity of the disease subspecies, the application may be reviewed in the IDM IRG.
  
  
• With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: The MOSS IRG also reviews applications directed toward the prevention and treatment of oral and dental health, osteoporosis and other bone diseases, arthritis and dermatological conditions. Clinical trials focused on interventions in oral or dental health, osteoporosis and other bone diseases, arthritis and dermatological conditions may be reviewed in MOSS. Studies of these conditions may be referred to NAME when the primary thrust is epidemiologic and laboratory data are to be collected by methods that are largely already developed. Applications on the diseases or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to MOSS. Animal studies may be reviewed in the MOSS IRG.
  
  
• With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience  [BDCN] IRG: Clinical trials could be reviewed within BDCN. Epidemiologic studies of various neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and epilepsy may be reviewed in NAME. Non-epidemiologic studies of these disorders, including studies in animals, could be reviewed within the BDCN IRG.

[HSOD Roster] 

The Health Services Organization and Delivery [HSOD] Study Section reviews health services research studies that include multidisciplinary investigations of the predictors, processes and outcomes of health services, including availability, access and acceptability; organization; decision-making; delivery, utilization and quality of care; and costs, cost-effectiveness and financing of health care. Health services include inpatient, ambulatory, sub-acute, acute, community-based, rehabilitative and long-term care. 

Specific areas covered by HSOD: 

• Community, personnel, economic, technological, and management resources and support, including studies of community resources, including supply and area market behaviors; health care provider characteristics; health insurance, reimbursement, and financing mechanisms; care management technology and assessment; delivery system characteristics.
  
  
• Health needs and health services utilization; studies of severity of illness; comorbidity; case mix and risk adjustment; psychosocial and economic antecedents; health care access; health services utilization and patterns.
  
  
• Healthcare organizations, programs, and delivery of services; studies of managed care organizations; integrated care delivery systems; disease management and modeling; continuous quality improvement; characteristics of the organization and patient outcomes; organizational performance and efficiency; cost-benefit analysis.
  
  
• Healthcare quality, effectiveness, outcomes; studies of application and evaluation of practice guidelines; quality of health care; patient and provider satisfaction; health status and outcomes assessment; evidence-based practice; health-related quality of life.
  
  
• Voluntary health and social service organizations and programs; studies of voluntary organizational programs for health advocacy, prevention and social support services; evaluation of public-private collaborative and inter-organizational network services delivery; intersection of formal and informal care provision.  

HSOD has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG:

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]: BMRD also reviews applications that focus on the organization and delivery of health-related services. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon the development of new statistical methodology or the improvement of existing research designs may be reviewed by BMRD. Applications in which existing research methods are used and the emphasis is upon the organization and delivery of health-related services may be reviewed by HSOD.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: HSOD has shared interests with CLHP and CIHB. Applications that emphasize the delivery or organization of appropriate health services may be reviewed by HSOD.  Other applications that explore complex inter-relationships among economic, social, cultural, and environmental influences and health and health-related outcomes may be reviewed by CLHP or CIHB, depending on whether they involve a community-based intervention.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: NSAA and NSCF review applications that emphasize nursing care and research relating to nursing interventions in patient care. Studies that primarily address the organization of health care delivery of the utilization of a health care delivery system, including that by medical personnel, may be reviewed by HSOD. Applications that examine health outcomes related to various nursing practices and interventions could be reviewed by NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age group of the subjects.
  
  
• With Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS]: SSPS also reviews applications containing health economics. Applications related to the societal or individual costs associated with a given condition or to the effects of various policies on health outcomes or the well-being of the population could be reviewed by SSPS.  Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon the organization or delivery of health-related services may be reviewed by HSOD.

HSOD has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG:

• With the Biology and Development of Aging [BDA] IRG: Applications with a primary focus on physiologic or biological processes could be reviewed by BDA when an aging population is specifically studied. However, applications with a primary approach on behavioral or social antecedents or outcomes and management of physical diseases could be reviewed by HSOD.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG:  Prevention research applications that focus on intra-/inter-personal processes within a health care setting may be assigned to the RPHB IRG. Studies without a preventive focus but that emphasize the utilization of intervention services, their costs, and delivery may be assigned to HSOD.
  
  
• With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: Studies of behavioral disorders that focus on the utilization of intervention services, their costs, and delivery may be assigned to HSOD.  Studies of behavioral disorders that focus on individual level etiology or effects may be reviewed within BBBP.
  
  
• All study sections in AHRQ [Agency for Health Care Research and Quality] review applications in health services research, as does HSOD. When the primary program assignment is AHRQ, the application may be reviewed in an AHRQ Study Section. When the primary program assignment is an NIH Institute or Center, the application may be reviewed in HSOD.
  
  
• Study Sections in NIAAA, NIDA and NIMH may review applications in treatment and health services research. For more information, see the Institutes' respective web sites.

[NSAA Roster]

The Nursing Sciences: Adults and Older Adults [NSAA] Study Section reviews applications that address clinical nursing practice related to the care of young, middle-aged, and older adults. In addition, the Study Section reviews applications related to care giving and illness in adults and older adults as well as health promotion and disease prevention in older adults.  Nursing research in these segments of the population includes both scientific inquiry into nursing science, as well as psychosocial and behavioral processes directly relevant to nursing care and research relating to nursing interventions in patient care. Biological, psychological, social and cultural perspectives are frequently employed in the design and conduct of nursing research, as are multidisciplinary perspectives. The interventions are designed to enhance or promote recovery, and/or maintain health.  Research addressing cost issues or systems issues may focus on the cost of nursing care or the environment in which nursing care is delivered and be related to patient outcomes.

[NSCF Roster] 

The Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF] Study Section reviews applications that address clinical nursing practice from preconception through adolescence, women’s health, and health disparities. In addition, this study section reviews applications related to health promotion across the life span (except for older adults), nursing diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems, and patient outcomes responsive to nursing interventions in these populations. Nursing research in these segments of the population includes both scientific inquiry in nursing science as well as psychosocial and behavioral processes directly relevant to nursing care and research relating to nursing interventions in patient care. Biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives are frequently employed in the design and conduct of nursing research, as are multidisciplinary perspectives. The outcomes are for either short or long term improvements in patient outcomes. Nursing interventions are designed to enhance disease prevention, promote recovery, and/or maintain health. Research addressing cost issues or system issues should focus on the cost of nursing care or the environment in which nursing care is delivered and be related to patient outcomes. 

Specific areas covered by NSCF: 

• Management of infants, children, and adolescents with acute and chronic illness and women during the perinatal period, including issues such as symptom management, decision making, self-care and family illness management, prevention of disability, quality of life, adherence, nurse-client communication, and family functioning.
  
  
• Care giving, health promotion and disease prevention for children, adolescents, and adult (except for older adults) men and women, families and groups across the life span including normal growth and development, maturational processes, and lifestyle behavior changes. Examples might include stress, adaptation, coping training, social support, lifespan issues such as parenting, pregnancy, infant, child, and adolescent health, women's and men's health, and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors such as diet, exercise, and smoking cessation.
  
  
• Other nursing practice issues dealing with infants, children, adolescents, healthy women and men (except for older adults) including end of life, biobehavioral phenomena, health disparities, transcultural issues, methodological approaches, community health, care systems, environmental and work place issues.
  
  
• Studies related to the practice environment in which nursing care is delivered to infants, children, adolescents and healthy women and men (except for older adults) including patient outcomes of home care, long term care, hospital care, and community health care, factors underlying the quality of nursing care, and cost-effectiveness and informatics issues of nursing care as they relate to these patient populations and outcomes.

NSCF has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• Those applications pertaining to infants, children or families, women’s health and health disparities may be reviewed by NSCF. Those pertaining to adults and older adults may be reviewed by NSAA. Applications originating from other sources and that fall within the domain of subject areas covered by the HOP IRG may be referred to the most appropriate study section within the HOP IRG.

NSCF has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG: 

• Other IRGs: Applications not directly related to nursing science and that do not fall within the domain of subject areas covered by the HOP IRG could be referred to the most appropriate IRG.
  
  
• Study Sections in NIAAA, NIDA, and NIMH may review applications in treatment and health services research. For more information, see their web sites.

[SSPS Roster]

The Social Sciences and Population Studies [SSPS] Study Section reviews applications related to population processes, composition and distribution, their antecedents and consequences, and their inter-relationships with social, cultural, economic, behavioral, developmental and biomedical factors and processes. This includes studies of migration, mortality and health, residential distribution, reproduction, sexual health, population aging, labor force and retirement, household and family structure, intergenerational relations, and biodemography in the U.S. and other countries. It also includes the development and validation of methodologies for population research, including estimation and projection, formal and mathematical demography, modeling and simulation, qualitative and ethnographic methods, and measurement, design, and statistical analysis. Studies of gender, race and ethnicity as they relate to population processes are included.

Specific areas covered by SSPS: 

• Migration, emigration and immigration, including movement of people within and across national boundaries; social, cultural, economic, behavioral, and health factors and processes associated with population movement; processes related to migration [e.g., acculturation, adaptation]; interstate, intercity, local migration and residential distribution; refugee movements.
  
  
• Family and household, including living arrangements, intergenerational relations, co-residence, marriage, cohabitation, divorce, single-parent families, child care, sexual unions, roles of men, women and children within households and families, including parental and family investments in children and child well-being.
  
  
• Population aging, including interrelationships with demographic and social processes, household and family structure, economic status and inequality, health status, intergenerational exchanges and bequests, and impacts on public programs; economics of aging
  
  
• Fertility, including studies of conception, pregnancy, birth, and pregnancy outcomes; contraceptive use and sexual behavior; infertility; birth spacing and timing; birth intentions; value of children; interrelationships with the status and roles of women and men, health, union formation and dissolution, and other related social, cultural, economic, behavioral, and biological processes.
  
  
• Mortality, health, functioning and disability; differentials, trends and projections for individuals, groups and populations; studies of perinatal, infants, child, adult and elderly health and mortality; interrelationships with demographic, social, economic, behavioral, and biobehavioral processes; health economics.
  
  
• Biodemography; interrelationships of biological, genetic, evolutionary, and ecological factors with life history patterns and population processes, composition and distribution; comparison of life histories and population processes, composition and distribution between humans and other species
  
  
• Sexual health; population-based studies of sexually-transmitted diseases, sexual risk taking and prevention behaviors, sexual networks, and sexual partnerships; studies of social, biosocial, cultural, economic, and behavioral aspects in individuals, groups and society
  
  
• Employment, labor force and retirement; social, cultural, economic and behavioral antecedents and consequences for working-age and dependent men and women, groups and society; studies of interrelationships with health, migration, family and household structure, disability, functioning, social and economic status, impact of public and private programs such as social security on labor force transitions and income security of the elderly
  
  
• Population size, composition, and structure; race and ethnic composition; population composition by age, sex, nativity, and other demographic characteristics.
  
  
• Population and the environment; interrelationships between population processes and the physical environment.  

SSPS has the following shared interests within the HOP IRG: 

• With Biostatistical Methods and Research Design [BMRD]:  BMRD also reviews applications that focus on population processes and their inter-relationships with socioenvironmental and biomedical factors and processes. Applications in which the primary emphasis is the development of new statistical methodology or the improvement of existing research designs may be reviewed by BMRD.
  
  
• With Community Influences on Health Behavior [CIHB] and Community-Level Health Promotion [CLHP]: CLHP and CIHB also review applications that focus upon high-risk behavior, that are multi-level, or that emphasize the relationships between socioenvironmental factors and health related behavior. Applications that emphasize determination of health status at the community level or that emphasize behavior related to family structure, human reproduction, or population mobility may be reviewed in SSPS. Those that emphasize community-based interventions may be reviewed in CLHP unless they involve STDs or contraceptive behavior as outcome variables. The latter may be reviewed in SSPS.
  
  
• With Cardiovascular and Sleep Epidemiology [CASE], Epidemiology of Cancer [EPIC]; Infectious Diseases, Reproductive Health, Asthma and Pulmonary Conditions [IRAP[; Kidney, Nutrition, Obesity and Diabetes [KNOD]; and Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology [NAME]: These study sections also review applications dealing with the incidence and prevalence of morbidity and mortality related to various health conditions and to behavioral risk factors. Applications relating levels of morbidity and mortality may be reviewed in SSPS.  Applications that rely primarily upon epidemiologic methods or that are intended primarily to estimate the prevalence or incidence of a health condition may be reviewed in CASE, EPIC, IRAP, KNOD or NAME, depending upon the condition(s) being studied.   
  
       
• With the Health Services Organization and Delivery [HSOD]: HSOD also reviews applications containing health economics. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon the organization or delivery of health-related services may be reviewed by HSOD.
  
  
• With Nursing Science: Adults and Aging [NSAA] and Nursing Science: Children and Families [NSCF]: NSAA and NSCF also review applications that focus on population processes and their inter-relationships with socioenvironmental and biomedical factors and processes. Applications in which the primary emphasis is upon nursing care and research relating to nursing interventions in patient care may be reviewed by NSAA or NSCF, depending upon the age groups being studied. 

SSPS has the following shared interests outside the HOP IRG: 

• With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics [GGG] IRG: SSPS has shared interests with the GGG IRG. Applications that focus on population genetics could be reviewed in GGG. Applications that focus on non-genetic population processes could be reviewed in SSPS.
  
  
• With the Biology and Development of Aging [BDA] IRG: Applications with a primary focus on physiologic or biological processes could be reviewed by BDA when an aging population is specifically studied. Applications with a primary emphasis upon the behavioral, social or demographic aspects of aging could be reviewed by SSPS.
  
  
• With the Bioengineering Sciences and Technologies [BST] IRG: SSPS may review applications related to population processes, composition and distribution, and the development and validation of methodologies for population research, including measurement, design, and statistical analysis. Other statistical methodology applications could be reviewed by the BST IRG or by BMRD, depending upon whether applications involves development of new [BMRD] or use of existing statistical and methodological [BST] techniques.
  
  
• With the Risk, Prevention and Health Behavior [RPHB] IRG:  Studies of marital and family interactions, processes, and social development that exclude an emphasis on demographic processes may be reviewed in the RPHB IRG. SSPS may review demographic and economic studies of marriage and family behavior, including those that consider child health and well-being outcomes.
  
  
• With the Biobehavioral and Behavioral Processes [BBBP] IRG: Biobehavioral and behavioral applications that emphasize issues related to population processes and biodemography may be reviewed by SSPS.  Biobehavioral and behavioral applications that emphasize individual or small group processes may be reviewed by BBBP.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Applications in which the primary outcomes are population studies related to demographics or health economics may generally be assigned to SSPS. Applications on cardiovascular diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the CVS IRG.
  
  
• With the Endocrinology, Metabolism, Nutrition and Reproductive Sciences [EMNR] IRG: The EMNR IRG also reviews applications to study human reproduction, reproductive health and pregnancy outcomes. Studies that focus on the relationship between these and socio-demographic factors, including population studies may be referred to SSPS. Applications on diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors related to reproduction could be assigned to the EMNR IRG.
  
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: Applications in which the primary outcomes are population studies related to demographics or health economics may generally be assigned to SSPS. Applications on digestive diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the DIG IRG.

  [SBIR/STTR Rosters]

HOP IRG Small Business [SBIR/STTR] applications seek to understand and elaborate the broader socioenvironmental contexts in which health and health-related behavior are embedded and to examine the interaction of these socioenvironmental factors with the health and health-related behavior of individuals and populations are reviewed within dedicated special emphasis panels within the HOP IRG. The socioenvironmental factors studied may include social class, socioeconomic conditions, cultural factors and processes, institutions, social organization, social networks, neighborhood and regional characteristics, media, policies, social and family group membership, and racial and ethnic identity. The following Special Emphasis Panels are included in HOP Small Business Activities:  Small Business: Health of the Population [HOP (10)] and Small Business Occupational Health [HOP (11)].

HOP Small Business SEPs have the following interests outside the IRG: 

• With the Hematology [HEME] IRG: Studies of behavioral modification, including health education or training, directed toward the prevention and treatment of hematological diseases, including psychological aspects, could be assigned to the RPHB or to the HOP IRG, depending upon the level of analysis and the nature of the intervention. Applications focused on hematological diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to HEME. Health education or training directed to the health care provider, not the patient, may also be assigned to the HEME IRG.
  
  
• With the Cardiovascular Sciences [CVS] IRG: Studies of behavioral modification, including health education or training, directed toward the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, including psychological aspects, could be assigned to the RPHB or to the HOP IRG, depending upon the level of analysis and the nature of the intervention. Applications focused on cardiovascular diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the CVS IRG. Health education or training directed to the health care provider, not the patient, may also be assigned to CVS.
  
  
• With the Musculoskeletal, Oral and Skin Sciences [MOSS] IRG: Studies of behavioral modification, including health education or training, directed toward the prevention and treatment of hematological diseases, including psychological aspects, could be assigned to the RPHB or to the HOP IRG, depending upon the level of analysis and the nature of the intervention. Applications focused on musculoskeletal, oral or skin diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to MOSS. Health education or training directed to the health care provider, not the patient, may also be assigned to the MOSS IRG.
  
  
• With the Digestive Sciences [DIG] IRG: Studies of behavioral modification, including health education or training, directed toward the prevention and treatment of digestive system diseases, including psychological aspects, could be assigned to the RPHB or to the HOP IRG, depending upon the level of analysis and the nature of the intervention. Applications focused on digestive diseases, disorders, or functional consequences of behaviors could be assigned to the DIG IRG. Health education or training directed to the health care provider, not the patient, may also be assigned to DIG.

 

Health and Health Related Behavior of Individuals and Populations

 

 

[Health of the Population (HOP) Integrated Review Group]

[ F16 Roster ]

The F16 study section reviews fellowship applications concerned with the interaction of socioenvironmental factors with the health and health related behavior of individuals and populations.  Emphasis is placed on the influence of these factors on health, behavior and development; group or individual-level interventions to prevent or modify risk factors; population processes and their antecedents and consequences; health services research; epidemiological studies; and quantitative methodologies.