Innovation and Discovery

UNITING SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND ACTION

The GOPC integrates research, education, policy and action. These elements shouldn’t be separate or isolated.  For instance, developing the right solutions requires knowledge of decision makers’ needs and constraints. Stakeholders need to see how an intervention can benefit them and be involved at each stage of the process.

Examples of the GOPC’s integrated efforts include:

• A systems science team that translates engineering, computer and mathematical methods and tools to the problem of obesity.
• New interventions addressing policy, environmental, social and behavioral factors such as B’more Healthy Communities for Kids in baltimore. 
• Education and training that integrate research and action such as courses, seminars, conferences and programs for trainees, researchers, educators, practitioners, policy-makers and other stakeholders.
• Pilot awards to fund time-sensitive projects such as examining the impact of changes in requirements for stocking healthful foods in Minneapolis-area grocery stores.
• Use of Advanced Research Techinques using computerized modeling, such as our Virtual Baltimore Laboratory which will allow decision makers to test the effects of differenct policies and interventions.