April 22, 2016

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAMS REACCREDITED

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
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Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health has been awarded full accreditation through 2021 for the Human Research Protection Program and Institutional Review Board (IRB) by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. The department first received this accreditation in 2008 and is one of only two public health departments to receive this recognition.

“Florida is proud to continue to set the national standard with a fully accredited human research protection program,” said Interim State Surgeon General Dr. Celeste Philip. “This program is essential to ensuring that all Floridians who participate in research are protected as we seek and discover cures for devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease and many types of cancer.”

Accredited organizations operate more efficiently, provide more comprehensive protections, and produce higher-quality data than non-accredited organizations. The department’s Human Research Protection Program provides consultation and technical assistance related to applications for review by the IRB who reviews research involving human participants to ensure participants are protected and research meets ethical standards.

For more information about the Human Research Protection Program and IRB visit https://www.floridahealth.gov/provider-and-partner-resources/research/irb.html

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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