Insights - innovative next steps in gaining health improvements through translational science - florida is the third largest state with unique health challenges

The university of florida (UF) and florida state university (FSU) ctsa hub, with over 14 years of prior collaborative experience, will work within this dynamic environment to improve human health by accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries and implementing evidence-based best practices. Through pivotal leadership in catalyzing research within and across the hub's universities, affiliated health care settings, and communities, the UF-FSU ctsa hub will target significant barriers in translation. The UF-FSU ctsa hub aligns FSU's distributed medical education model with UF's county extension reach and extensive oneflorida+ clinical research network and data trust to bring health research opportunities to florida's rural and urban communities. Applying clinical and translational science (CTS) practices and principles in this context lends substantial opportunities for enhancing research efficiency and improving health outcomes. The UF- FSU ctsa hub is optimally positioned to drive the integration of CTS principles and practices into the routine conduct of biomedical research and health care delivery. Over the next 7 years, such integration will drive the continued maturation of our learning health system initiative, which will evolve into a learning health community engaging state, regional, and national collaborators. The goal of this application is to catalyze cross-disciplinary translational science activities that result in meaningful gains in health for the hub's communities. Furthermore, the UF-FSU ctsa hub aims to serve as an effective implementation and dissemination hub of best translational science practices for turning discoveries into improved outcomes. Toward that end, the UF-FSU ctsa hub will pursue four long-term strategic goals: 1) cultivate a dynamic training ecosystem to speed translation through continuous learning and skill development, 2) advance the science of translation to overcome persistent challenges in the conduct of clinical and translational research and translation of best evidence to patients and communities through innovations in clinical trial design and artificial intelligence and digital health solutions, 3) deepen stakeholder collaborations to more effectively address stakeholder health priorities and reduce health risks through strategic partnerships, and 4) create a scalable learning health community to expand the reach, sustainability, and impact of translational advances through maturation of a learning health system. As a central facilitator for implementing change, broadening access to research, and translating discoveries into practice, the UF-FSU ctsa hub is poised to impact the significant health challenges in northern and central florida, statewide, and beyond.