BRADFORD researchers on one of the UK’s largest studies looking into the health of children are inviting people to get aboard the next stage of its study journey.

Thousands of children, their families and carers who have been involved in the Born in Bradford study since it started in 2007 are now being asked to step up on the project’s new big blue bus to catch up with researchers and share their experiences of growing up in Bradford.

The bus, which is kitted out with state-of-the-art research equipment, will be parked outside St Luke’s Hospital in the city for the next six months.

The study has been tracking the lives of 13,500 babies and their families from different cultures and backgrounds and the research is being used to answer important questions about why some children remain healthy while others fall ill.

BiB Programme Manager Dr Rosie McEachan said the bus would be an opportunity for researchers to take an in-depth look at the health and wellbeing of those involved so far as well as families being able to learn about the latest findings from the ground-breaking study.

She said: “We are excited about this next part of the BiB journey which will allow us to find out how our families’ lives have changed since the birth of their babies ten years ago and how these changes have affected them.

“It will also be a great opportunity to thank our BIB parents who have helped us so much over the last ten years to discover how we can improve the lives and health of families in Bradford and beyond.”

The BiB research team has secured funding from the Medical Research Council, as well as the Economic and Social Research Council to fund this groundbreaking project.

And the team is now hoping to reconnect with more than 9,000 BiB families to carry out more health and wellbeing assessments on board the bus as well as at local community venues, schools and in family homes.

The assessments will include questionnaires and physical checks including height and weight, blood samples, and body scans with both parents and children.

BiB Director, Professor John Wright, said: “We have already gathered so much information that has produced new knowledge about how we can improve the health of babies and pre-schoolers. We look forward to sharing our findings with mums, dads, carers and children as the study progresses on this next important part of our journey.”

BiB parents can make an appointment with the assessment team by ringing 01274 383454.

To get more details about making appointments or visiting the bus, go to borninbradford.nhs.uk.

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