Update On The National Children's Study

October 13, 2006

The National Children's Study (NCS) is the largest and longest study of children's health and development ever planned in the United States . It will look at how the environment influences the health and development of 100,000 children in 105 locations across the United States from before birth—and in some cases before conception—to at least age 21. "Environment" is defined broadly to include physical surroundings, biological and chemical factors, geography, and social, educational, behavioral, family, and cultural influences. The environment matters for children, who take in more air, food, and water for their body weight than adults do. Plus, they play in the dirt and grass, are more vulnerable to toxicants, and have years ahead of them to get sick because of what they may be exposed to in the environment.

After years of planning, the NCS is moving closer to implementation. Since September 2005, seven Vanguard (pilot) Study Centers have been setting up community advisory boards, hiring and training staff, and helping to refine the Study Protocol—a comprehensive roadmap detailing how researchers will recruit participants and collect information. Not only are 105 Study locations geographically distributed and demographically varied, but also the Study protocol includes culturally relevant questions and directs Study Centers to ensure representation of diverse communities on committees and boards as well as among Study participants. Information that will be collected as part of the National Children's Study includes biological and genetic samples (e.g., saliva), environmental samples (e.g., air, water, house dust, soil), and health behavior data obtained from periodic interviews with families. Enrollment has not yet begun. However, women will be eligible to participate if they live in a designated Study site, if they are in their first trimester of pregnancy, if they are 18 years of age or older and planning pregnancy, or if they are between the ages of 18 and 40, and are not currently planning pregnancy but could become pregnant later. Children included in the Study will reflect the diversity of children in the United States.

Congress authorized the Study nearly six years ago. Both the House and the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Committees have included language supporting continuation of the Study in their bills. However, action on these bills has been postponed until Congress meets in a lame duck session on November 13.

In the meantime, organizations such as LDA are urged to spread the word about this important study. LDA has been involved in the planning for this research. For more information, visit www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov, or e-mail ncs@mail.nih.gov.

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