Purpose: Search for the Cause
Accelerate the discovery of the root causes for the diseases of civilization.
Overview:
The US is currently experiencing a health crises of chronic diseases and conditions, which affect more than half of the population. These diseases are chronic, which means they often last a lifetime and mostly have no cures. These are called the diseases of civilization because they are not caused by germs. Instead something in our diet, lifestyle or environment triggers them. They are manmade.
Goals and Objectives:
The principal goal for the Search for the Cause Initiative is identify root causes of chronic disease which can lead to cures and interventions. Our approach is to help educate; encourage dialogue and debate; and to catalyze action among scientists, policy makers, clinicians and the general public. Through collaboration and leveraging the ‘wisdom of crowds,” we can put an end to the health crisis in America. Here are chief objectives:
- Establish biological models and identify disease mechanisms
- Discover environment triggers for these diseases of civilization
- Determine if there is a single cause or unifying theory for chronic disease
Cures and Interventions
The Discovery of root causes will inform discovery of cures. By confirming root causes found in our biology, diet, lifestyle and environment, we can discover the most promising interventions and ultimately the cures for the diseases of civilization.
First Step:
Advocate for Congress to immediately establish and fund the Chronic Disease Project (CDP).
We currently face a $2.7 trillion health crisis in America that has solutions. The science suggests evidence of common biological frameworks. Our belief is this health crises can be cut in half in less than five years if we all work together. Root causes to biological mechanisms and environmental links are already well established in the scientific literature. But it will take a strong coordinated effort much like that of the “Human Genome Project” to produce accelerated results. We cannot wait to let science lead us, we need to proactively guide science to find causes and cures for the chronic diseases that are proliferating in our nation today.
Key objectives for the Chronic Disease Project:
- Establish biological models and identify disease mechanisms
- Discover environment triggers for these diseases of civilization
- Determine if there is a single cause or unifying theoryfor chronic disease
- Find cures and interventions