rate of nearly one per day. The outbreak had originally been thought to be caused by an infectious organism or toxic agent. Our investigation is considering all possibilities. O In addition to assisting with the toxic pneumonia problem in Spain, CDC's environmental health scientists have been investigating PCP contamination in Binghamton, New York, Old Forge, Pennsylvania, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, and assisting in identifying health risks of a pesticide spraying program in California. Less dramatic, but of critical importance, is the work that has been done to develop new and improved laboratory techniques to measure thirty known toxic substances in humans. CDC's Center for Environmental Health and NIOSH have specific responsibilities related to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, referred to as the Superfund. In addition, CDC was given lead responsibility in HHS for coordinating the Department's involvement in the Superfund. We have established a Superfund office in our Center for Environmental Health, from which we are coordinating the efforts of the National Library of Medicine, and the National Toxicology Program. These activities will be carried out on a reimbursable basis with funds appropriated to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We are in the process of negotiating the scope of HHS activities that can be carried out within those appropriated funds. O Also, I would like to bring you up to date in a few scientific areas that I reported on last year. We recently marked the fifth anniversary of the isolation of the Legionnaires' Disease organism. Since then our investigations have implicated a number of environmental sources of outbreaks and our efforts have led to the identification of eight new named species of Legionnella, and nine other species which need more thorough definition. Last year, I reported that we were conducting field trials of a promising hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine has shown to be highly efficacious and safe and has been licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. We are continuing our work on a vaccine for hepatitis A. A live vaccine is expected to be ready for field testing this fiscal year. We have continued to apply the revolutionary hybridoma technique to produce new, pure monoclonal antibodies for our diagnostic procedures. To date, nearly 20 sets of monoclonal antibodies have been developed for particular microorganisms. During the year, we completed the initial development of, and tested, a threat assessment system, which has been established in cooperation with the Department of State and the Department of Justice. With this system in cement agencies can call on CDC to assist ng a rapid assessment of the scientific, plas technical, and behavioral probabilities of a situation 1983 BUDGET REQUEST The 1983 budget reflects the changing Federal/State roles, but the request also reflects the importance of the programs and the activities in Preventive Health Services in reaching 1990 objectives. Our budget request is for $217,192,000. Venereal Diseases We are requesting an increase of nearly $8.6 million in our Risk Reduction/Health Education CHART 5 $1.3 million is requested to continue our work on the development, evaluation, and application of effective health education and risk reduction interventions. During 1982, we will be supporting these activities with funds available under the block grant support as directed by Congress. At the end of this transition year the block grant is being transferred from our appropriation to funding in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. This request will support staff to provide States and other public and private health education sponsors with expert technical assistance to implement effective health education programs. Occupational Safety and Health This budget continues the course set in 1982 toward targeting further limiting occupational safety and health research to the highest priority areas--surveillance, the evaluation of occupational safety and health problems (including response to requests for Health Hazard Evaluations), and the control of occupational safety problems. Also, the occupational safety and health training program is proposed for termination. Let me assure you that the prevention of illness and death in the 16-040 O 83 - 5 workplace is high on my priorities. I believe we must concentrate on strengthening NIOSH scientific investigations and improving our information gathering. For example, NIOSH, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, recently developed a new surveillance system to monitor all occupational injuries treated at a sample of 66 hospital emergency rooms. With this new system, we should be better able to estimate injury patterns of the American worker on a more current basis than is now possible. Preserving Scientific and Technical Operations Of major significance in this budget is the funding that has being provided in 1982 and requested in 1983, which has preserved the scientific and technical core supported in the Chronic Disease, Environmental Health, Epidemic Services, and Technical Development and Application activities of our budget. In 1982, $10.7 million is being allocated from the PHS termination account to supplement these activities and avoid a serious disruption in these disease control efforts. We believe this is consistent with Congressional intent under the continuing resolution. Without this transfer, CDC would have had to conduct a reduction in force of approximately 420 employees, that would have affected all of its components except NIOSH. Such an employment reduction would have cut deeply into the professional, technical, and support personnel who are responsible for making CDC the responsive public health agency that it is. While it will still be necessary to implement a number of economy measures, we will be preserving the Centers' core operations. Also, consideration will be given to the October 1981 pay raise requirement in March 1982. I am happy to answer any questions that you may have. |