THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release January 13, 2000



WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES MAJOR NEW INCREASE IN FUNDING TO DETERMINE ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES OF DISEASE
Funding Will Provide New Insight Into the Causes of Breast and Prostate Cancer
January 13, 2000

Today, the White House will announce that the President's FY 2001 budget will include an unprecedented funding increase to explore the largely unknown environmental causes of diseases, like breast and prostate cancer. This major initiative, which is advocated by the American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Pediatrics, will provide $27 million, 56 percent greater than last year's funding level, for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Environmental Health Lab to: assist communities investigating unusual incidence of cancer or other diseases; identify regions of the country in which individuals are at increased risk of dangerous exposure to carcinogens and other toxic substances; and ensure rapid evaluation of the impact of public health emergencies. Because of the startling lack of evidence pinpointing the environmental cause of cancers and many other diseases, these studies should play a major role in determining new, more effective diagnostic tests and preventive techniques.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ARE LINKED TO INCREASED INCIDENCE OF CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES. Studies tracking patterns of cancer development and birth defects suggest the influence of environmental factors.

CLINTON-GORE ADMINISTRATION MAKES MAJOR NEW INVESTMENT TO INVESTIGATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES OF CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES. Today, the White House will announce that the President's FY 2001 budget will include a $27 million investment to:

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