SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4) Most children grow up healthy, but the rates of asthma, diabetes, obesity and other childhood health problems are on the rise in
Utah and the rest of the nation. In 2000 congress funded a huge research project to find out why. That project is set to launch in our state next month.
Utah is one of seven pilot locations nationwide.
It’s called the National Children’s study. Eventually, it will be conducted in 105 locations across
America. Information will be collected on 100,000 children from before they are born, until they reach the age of 21.
Neighborhoods involved in the study were selected at random and are confidential, but the
Utah cities involved are
Salt Lake, Taylorsville, Midvale,
West Jordan, South Jordan, Draper, Bluffdale,
West Valley, Magna,
Sandy and
Cottonwood Heights.
Researchers will be looking for women from 18-49 who are considering having a baby. Those who agree to participate in the study are looking at a long-term commitment, spanning the life of their child. Pam Silberman, from the
University of Utah’s National Children’s Study says “They are agreeing to allow us to observe them and their children, themselves and their pregnancy and then the child’s life to age 21.”
In Utah and nationwide, researchers will be looking for environmental factors that children are exposed to. Silberman says “We are interested in what children are exposed to in the home, in the school on the playground in terms of the food that they eat, the water they drink, the air that they breathe the interactions with their family and friends, and the impact on their health.”
The government is funding the project, but all data will be given to a third party to tabulate. The information gleaned in the study is also confidential. Participants will voluntarily subject themselves to fourteen visits over the 21 years. They will also be required to keep data, such as food diaries and some samples will be collected. Silberman says “We will take dust and air and water samples from the homes, as well as dirt from the yards. We will take things like blood and urine and hair samples from the mother and the child.” Participants will be compensated about 25 dollars and hour for their time.
Over 21 years researchers hope to gain new information that could lead to better health. Silberman says “They are contributing to the greater good and they are changing the health and well being of children and affecting the health and well being for generations to come.
For more information on the study visit their website at www.saltlakechildren.com.
