DID YOU KNOW

• Based on preliminary analysis, life expectancy following spinal cord injury may be shortened by: 1) income/poverty 2) prescription medication use 3) binge drinking 4) hospitalizations 5) fractures/amputations 6) surgeries for pressure ulcers 7) probable major depression.

Theoretical Risk Model

RECENT NEWS

• NEWSLETTER-- Spring 2012 newsletter has been published and is now available. --NEWS--
• MEETING--On February 6, 2012, our consumer advocate, Richard Aust, from MUSC conducted an in-service meeting for the RRTC & DRRP at the Disability Resource Center (DRC ILC) in North Charleston, South Carolina. Mr. Aust met with all DRC staff to discuss the ongoing SCI research activities of the RRTC & DRRP.--FURTHER DETAILS--
• GRAND ROUNDS-- On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy of MUSC, Sara Kraft, PT, presented on "The Seating Interface for the Individual with SCI: Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Function". --INFO-- 
• SUCCESSFUL CONFERENCES-- The  MUSC and Shepherd Center collaborative conferences were a great success. View a summary of the conferences.--INFO--

RRTC PURPOSE

The purpose of this RRTC is to reduce secondary conditions and increase longevity after SCI by:

• Conducting an integrated program of research to guide prevention and treatment of secondary conditions with three research studies--STUDY DESCRIPTIONS--
• Conducting a parallel program of education and training, technical assistance, and dissemination
• Utilizing a collaborative network of researchers, academic institutions, community resources, and NIDRR funded programs
• Integrating activities that are inclusive of individuals with disabling conditions in all aspects of the RRTC from the planning, implementation, evaluation, conduct of research, analysis, and dissemination of results.