Ohio State University Medical Center
Ohio’s hospitals are the breeding ground for life-saving research, including an Ohio
State University Medical Center study to reduce cervical cancer specifically among
disadvantaged groups such as women in Appalachian Ohio. With the use of
tobacco in Appalachian regions of Ohio reaching 40%, even among pregnant
women, Mary Ellen Wewers, PhD, is studying the relationship between
smoking and cervical cancer. Her hope is that the participatory research project will
ultimately empower these women to take charge of their well-being and also reduce
the economic burden of tobacco use. Research brings outside money into Ohio,
positively impacting the local economy. Research awards to OSU Medical Center
increased to $184.4 million in fiscal year 2006 from $80.6 million in 2000.