A holistic approach to environmental health research

One of the most formidable questions facing the environmental health research community today is how to translate basic fundamental research into a product (e.g., disease outcome) that meets the needs of its stakeholders--the medical community, regulatory agencies, and ultimately, the citizens of our nation. Historically, a successful research program could be defined as one that received continuous funding, produced high-quality publications, and was respected by scientists in related fields. However, it is now apparent that this is not sufficient for attaining improved public health--the ultimate goal of these research efforts. Research results must be transferred in a more active way to the communities and professionals who have need of this information. The link must be recognized, and the roles of the stakeholders in the entire research process must be acknowledged to ensure full impact of the research endeavors.