National children’s health study starts in Queens - Ozone Park

During her State of the Borough Address, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall announced that the largest child health study in the history of the United States would begin right in Queens, and Ozone Park has been identified as one of the sample areas.
The $3 billion National Children’s Study, which started on January 13, and will continue for 21 years, is going to examine the role that environmental conditions and genetics play on the long-term health of children.
The National Institute of Child Health and Development selected Queens to begin the study, which will look at factors including the quality of air in the community and food people eat to determine how they relate to birth defects, asthma, obesity, diabetes and learning disabilities. The Queens Vanguard Center at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine will serve as the headquarters for the study.
“As the most diverse county in the United States, it’s fitting that Queens is one of the first communities to participate in this landmark study,” Marshall said. “We’re proud to be part of such an important research undertaking, and I’m confident that our residents and community organizations will overwhelmingly support and embrace it.”
Betty Braton, Chair of Community Board 10, said, “The reason they picked Queens is because of our diversity. One of the things they’ll be looking for is environmental factors.”
During the next few months, study organizers hope to recruit 5,000 women between the ages of 18-49 and choose women who are in their early stages of pregnancy or who are likely to become pregnant in the next two years. Researchers will then track the women and eventually their children’s progress during the next 21 years through observation and data collection that will take place at study clinics, in the participants’ homes and schools.
“Participation by the communities in Queens is particularly crucial for a number of reasons,” said Dr. Leo Trasande, Location Director for the Queens Vanguard Center where the study will take place. Trasande said that they want to make sure they have an accurate representation from Queens because there are many hazards that are unique to the urban environment.
Braton noted that recruitment for participants, who will be contacted by mail, will begin soon.
In addition to being part of a groundbreaking study, participants can receive a number of personal benefits including $25 to $100 per completed study visit, child growth report cards and medical referrals if problems are detected during study visits.
Organizers of the study hope that the findings will yield new preventative strategies and treatments for disease.
Queens Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, who represents parts of Queens and Manhattan, praised the study and the selection of Queens as the place it begins.
“Queens kids will be playing a leading role in this landmark effort to understand and cure childhood illnesses,” Maloney said.
To find out about additional ways to participate or help with the study, call 877-782-6965 or visit www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov.