National Children's Study ends recruitment stage

The National Children’s Study is the largest study ever conducted to assess the longterm effects of the environment on maternal and child health. 

Cache County is one of 37 sites across the country chosen to pilot the initial recruitment stage of the NCS.  Its professionals began recruiting participants in December of 2010.  When the initial recruitment stage ended in March of this year, 800 Cache County women had been enrolled, representing over 10% of the entire number recruited by all of the 37 sites. 

The approach taken in Cache County included using the media and special events to raise awareness and encourage people to participate. The recruitment phase is closed now, on hold until the main National Children’s Study starts in late 2013. But the researchers will continue collecting data on the county’s study participants for the next 20 years or so.

The pilot study’s role was to do more than collect data. It also helped researchers determine the most effective—and cost-effective—ways to gather and use it. These efforts should help the main study meet its goals.

When the full program is launched in 105 sites across the nation in 2013, the national study plans to follow more than 100,000 children from before birth until age 21.