Welcome to the National Children’s Study in Valencia County, New Mexico. Valencia County has been selected as one of the Vanguard locations from across the United States. The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental and genetic influences on the health and development of children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21. The Study will provide extensive understanding of the factors that influence children’s healthy development as well as common children’s illnesses, including asthma, obesity, diabetes, and child behavioral difficulties. The goal of the Study is to use the information contributed to improve the health and well-being of children and families from across the United States.
A team of researchers from the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNMHSC) will conduct the National Children’s Study in Valencia County. This research team includes behavioral scientists, pediatricians, public health experts, and data collectors who are committed to improving the health of families and their children. These efforts are being led by the Department of Pediatrics at the University of New Mexico (UNM). The National Children’s Study in Valencia County will partner with the UNM Valencia County campus and a community advisory council, made up of Valencia County residents, to seek guidance about how best to conduct the Study with community members.
New Mexico’s Academic Health Sciences Center
The UNMHSC is the largest academic health complex in the state of New Mexico. Located on the UNM campus in Albuquerque, UNMHSC combines its four mission areas — education, research, patient care, and community outreach. UNMHSC has 15 different programs representing more than 1,850 total students.
Signature Research Programs
Since 2005, the Signature Research Programs at UNMHSC have enriched the environment for the advancement of clinical/translational research and established comprehensive research programs that have “bench to bedside” and community components.
University of New Mexico Hospital
UNM Hospital is New Mexico’s only:
- Academic medical center
- Level 1 trauma center
- Provider of 13 pediatric subspecialties, offering the highest level of intensive care for children and premature infants in the state
Community
UNMHSC is committed to serving the State of New Mexico through partnerships with the state’s other institutions of higher education, and a wide network of health care providers, public agencies, and communities throughout the state.