1. The general framework | 2. The 3rd Research Plan for Catalonia (2001-2004)

2.4.2.5. Health and quality of life

Actions in this Selected Area are the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Social Security.

Objectives

• To promote medical research and the international mobility of researchers.
• To develop human resources and to expand the R&D system through the training and employment of researchers.
• To co-ordinate and evaluate health system R&D in Catalonia and to develop a system of detailed accounting for expenditure of R&D funds.
• To promote communication between the health services and citizens, and to assess citizens' perception of medical research.
• Promote clear ethical standards regarding respect for life and human dignity in the context of bio-medical research and clinical applications.

Lines of action

Health and social care. The process of ageing and the treatment of neuro-degenerative diseases. Technological development to improve the autonomy, quality of life and the mobility of the ageing population. Effective treatments for chronic and currently incurable diseases. The welfare of carers and relatives. Forms of prevention.

Health services, epidemiology and public health. Community health issues related to environmental pollution, ionising radiation, microbial strains and industrial activities. Inequality in health. Organisation, accessibility and effectiveness of the health system, with special attention to the integration of primary health care and hospital care. Variability in clinical practice. Consumption of medicines by users. Relationship between health and nutrition. Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the risk analysis and treatment of preventable diseases. Monitoring of emerging medical technologies to ensure their effective integration in the health system.

Basic and applied bio-medicine. Research into diseases identified by the Health Plan as the main health problems facing the Catalan population. Natural history of diseases and genetic, molecular, cellular and physiological mechanisms that cause various pathologies or increase susceptibility to them. Biological markers and prognostic evaluation. Diseases or iatrogenic complications resulting from medical practice. Design of studies with minimal biases to provide better data on the effects of medical interventions.

Bio-technology. New techniques for genetic analysis: structural genomics, functional genomics. Protemics and pharmacogenomics. Bio-computer sciences. Genetic therapy with special emphasis on the field of oncology and hereditary diseases, and on the development of safe, efficacious and specific vectors. Analysis of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of diseases. Development of animal and cellular models for the study of human diseases. Techniques for the isolation and manipulation of progenitorial and stem cells, experimental models of cell and tissue transplants.

Pharmacology and health products. Design, synthesis and biological analysis of new molecules and products of pharmacological interest. New devices for administering drugs. Bio-active products obtained by recombinant technology: monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, growth factors, hormones, receptors, mediators. Bio-materials for health applications: electro-medical devices, sensors and micro-systems. Technologies for minimally invasive surgery. Engineering of artificial tissues and organs. Robotics.

Technologies for information and communication in bio-medicine. Storage systems for information, data extraction for health planning, evaluating medical interventions, supporting clinical judgements and welfare management. Intelligent environments for citizen health care management. Safe and portable monitoring systems and patient tele-assistance. Micro technologies, micro-systems and bio sensors applied in medicine. Advanced systems of tele-diagnosis. Robotised systems for surgical applications.

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