Unprecedented Health Research Effort to Track Environmental Impacts on Development of Children in Their First 21 Years

After working as a UC Davis doctor and educator to bring the National Children's Study to Sacramento, I am pleased to now invite Sacramento families to enroll in the most comprehensive study ever conducted in the United States focusing on how environmental factors affect our children's health.  By participating in the National Children's Study, local families are joining 100,000 families across the country who are working with researchers to gain a better understanding of the complex environmental influences and interactions affecting our children as they develop.

This historic effort involves prenatal visits and periodic reporting and examinations through the age of 21 to give us a clear, longitudinal look at how we can build a healthier future for our children and our country.  The data, gathered from nearly 40 communities throughout the country, will be used to develop treatments for diseases and disorders as well as in developing health and safety guidelines that respond to our ever-changing environment.

Women between the ages of 18 and 49 from selected Sacramento County neighborhoods who are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant are eligible to participate. If you would like to learn more about the National Children's Study and possibly participate, please visit: http://centers.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/nccsc/Pages/default.aspx.

Thank you,

Dr. Richard Pan