New research shows CTSAs offer critical support in health emergencies

Gaurav Dave, CTSA colleagues examine CTSA scientific literature, trends, and collaboration

Gaurav Dave, MBBS, DrPH, MPH, co-director of the UNC Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) and director of Abacus Evaluation, is a co-author on new research looking at the "features of COVID-19 publications supported by the national CTSA (Clinical and Translational Science Awards) program" of the NIH.

The researchers examined COVID-19-related publications that cited CTSA grants. They found that, "[c]ompared to a random sample of non-CTSA-supported COVID-19 publications, the CTSA portfolio exhibited greater clinical relevance, more human research, and higher altmetric and citation influence."

Their conclusion is that "CTSA hubs [are] critical support structures during health emergencies."

The study was published in Clinical and Translational Science. Publication: ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cts.13700