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.
- With more than 5000 families participating in the current Vanguard Study phase of the NCS, we are happy to announce our goal for enrollment has been reached for our study location in Brookings County, SD and Yellow Medicine, Pipestone and Lincoln Counties, MN.
- At this time, the NCS is following more than 400 families in our four-county area with a focus on learning the best way to retain their participation for the full 21 years of the study.
- Another part of the NCS, a larger Main Study with the goal of enrolling about 100,000 children from across the United States is planned to start in 2013. The current Vanguard Study and the future Main Study will continue in parallel, with the Vanguard Study finishing in advance of the Main Study. It is not known at this time if the four counties of Brookings, Lincoln, Pipestone and Yellow Medicine will be included in the Main Study.
- By working with and supporting the NCS SDSU Study Center, you are an integral part of this historical research. Thank you to participants and supporters of the National Children’s Study. Your family...Your community; making a difference in the lives of generations to come!