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Each network is a type of special interest project that supports several PRCs to work together on a specific national health priority. Thematic networks focus on the major causes of death and disability, improve public health practice within communities, and cultivate effective state and local public health programs.

The Illinois PRC participates in six of the seven CDC thematic research networks funded through 2019 — more than any other PRC:

Healthy Brain Research Network (HBRN)
Principal investigator: David X. Marquez, PhD

Global and Territorial Health Research Network (GTHRN)
Principal investigators: Karen Peters, DrPH, and Andrew Dykens, MD, MPH

Managing Epilepsy Well Network (MEW)
Principal investigator: Dilip Pandey, MD, PhD, FAHA

Nutrition and Obesity Policy Research and Evaluation Network (NOPREN)
Principal investigator: Lisa M. Powell, PhD

Physical Activity Policy Research Network+ (PAPRN+)
Principal investigators: Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS, and Sandy Slater, PhD

Workplace Health Research Network (WHRN)
Principal investigators: Naoko Muramatsu, PhD, and Lisa Brosseau, PhD

WHAT THEMATIC NETWORKS DO

The Illinois PRC partners with local communities, local and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and researchers across the country to advance strategies toward these national public health priorities.

Members of each thematic network create a research agenda that advances national public health goals, conduct related pilot studies in their local communities, and share findings. A division of the CDC or another agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sponsors each network and assigns a technical advisor from the agency to work with network members. PRCs are selected for these networks through a competitive peer-review process.

LEARN MORE

Learn more about thematic research networks sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the CDC Prevention Research Centers Program website.