Rep. Engel Addresses Health Issues With NIH Director

Press Release

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) asked a series of questions to the National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins during his appearance before the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health on Tuesday.

Rep. Engel was especially interested in Dr. Collins' thoughts on research of pediatric and adolescent mental health issues, a topic being addressed in psychiatric research done by the Nathan Kline Institute, located in Rockland County.

Rep. Engel's question and answer with Dr. Collins can be viewed in these two clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSAQHf8Rbhg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTSRELG-9h8

In addition to the children's mental health issue, Rep. Engel also asked Dr. Collins about:

* Monitoring of Gestational Diabetes - Rep. Engel authored HR 5354, The Gestational Diabetes Act to address this issue.
* HIV/AIDS research and how it affects the Bronx.
* The use of a new drug for cancer patients, Iressa.
* Charcot Marie Tooth syndrome and rare disease research.

Rep. Engel added, "I am pleased to have had this opportunity to speak with Dr. Collins on these topics and I look forward to further discussions with him in the future." Rep. Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The GEDI Act:

* Creates a Research Advisory Committee headed by CDC to develop multi-site gestational diabetes research projects to enhance surveillance.
* Provides demonstration grants to focus on reducing the incidence of gestational diabetes.
* Expand basic, clinical and public health research investigating gestational diabetes and current treatments and therapies available.

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