HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced seven grants totaling more than $1.8 million to health care institutions in five Western states to help individuals exposed to radiation from uranium mines and nuclear weapons tests.
 
“In the early years of the Cold War, many Americans were exposed to high levels of radiation while mining, transporting and processing uranium and participating in above-ground nuclear weapons tests,” said Secretary Leavitt.  “These funds will help people who face an increased risk of cancer and other diseases as a result of that exposure.”
 
Besides providing screening for cancer and other diseases caused by radiation and referrals for medical treatment, funds also help grantees develop education and outreach programs about diseases caused by radiation.
 
The awards mark the third year of funding under the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program, which was created by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act Amendments of 2000.
 
The list of today’s grantees follows:
 
 

FY 2005 Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program Awards
Organization	City	State	Award
Mountain Park Health Center	Phoenix	Ariz.	$194,773
St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center	Grand Junction	Colo.	315,500
University of Nevada, Reno	Reno	Nev.	220,000
University of New Mexico	Albuquerque	N.M.	224,745
Northern Navajo Medical Center	Shiprock	N.M.	373,941
Utah Navajo Health System, Inc.	Montezuma Creek	Utah	224,750
Dixie Regional Medical Center	St. George	Utah	322,000
Total:			$1,875,709