What
The National Children's Study is the largest long-term study of children's health ever done in the U.S. It will include 100,000 children from before birth to age 21.
- The Study will look at how children's health is affected by a number of factors, including their family health history and the places where they live, learn and play. It will study things such as the air and water quality where children live and their daily activity.
- The Study will provide a rich resource of information that may ultimately help us improve the health and development of children for generations to come.
- South Dakota State University (SDSU) is leading the National Children's Study in communities within Brookings County, SD, and Yellow Medicine, Pipestone, and Lincoln Counties, MN.
- The Study is led by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with a consortium of federal government partners. Study partners include the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences of the NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Study Overview
Why
We need to learn about how the environment and genetics influence children's health, development and quality of life. It is hoped that more information will lead to healthier children and adults.
- The National Children's Study is designed to help us learn more than we've ever known about how the environment and genetics affect children's health and development.
- Although we have some information on the environment's impact on adults, there are significant differences between children and adults. Children's bodies are still growing and changing and take in more air, food, and water for their weight. Therefore they may be more likely to be affected by their environment.
- The Study will provide a rich resource of information that may ultimately help us improve the health and development of children for generations to come.
Who
- Women and their families may have a major impact on the health of future generations by joining the National Children's Study.
- Families from diverse backgrounds and communities will join the Study.
- Joining the Study will be rewarding in a number of ways. You may be helping to improve the lives of future generations. Your participation may help your community and country gain a better understanding of children's health and development.
- Joining the Study involves providing information through periodic appointments or interviews with Study team members before and during a woman's pregnancy, and as the child grows up. Taking part in the Study is not a substitute for routine visits to the doctor and participants will not be asked to change what they do, take medications or receive treatments. Study representatives will collect information from participants and their environment from time to time over the course of the Study.
You
Everyone has a stake in this national Study because it is about providing information that may lead to improvements in the health, development and well being of children.
- If you or someone you know may become pregnant in the next few years, contact the SDSU Study Center 877-791-0054 to find out if you live in a Study area and are eligible to participate in the Study.
- Even if you are not planning to become pregnant right now, learn about the Study in case your plans change. All families should know about the Study because everyone might know someone who is eligible to join.
- If you are unable to join the Study, encourage people you know to find out if they are eligible to participate — and support them if they join the Study.