Organisations responsible for the health of people who live in Bradford say the findings of the biggest research project ever to be conducted in the UK will help shape services for generations to come.

The Born in Bradford project could unlock the key to good health for the district which is dogged by high mortality rates and has many people struggling with chronic disease.

The project will follow the lives of up to 10,000 babies born in Bradford during 2007 and 2008 to find out what makes them ill and how external factors affect their health and well being.

Matt Walsh, medical director of Bradford South and West Primary Care Trust, said his organisation had the responsibility to improve the health of people living in the district. This function, he said, would be helped by the study.

As acting chief executive of the PCT he will present a paper on the study to members of the trust board tomorrow, asking for them to actively support Born in Bradford.

"What we are good at is doing what is defined as national priorities," he said. "What we have been less good at is responding to the needs of our own communities. This study will help to define the particular problems relating to our communities. Some of the things we find out will be very challenging to interpret and some of the findings will mean we have to work together with our partners in education."

He said the project would get the entire community talking about what affects health - including the way people live their lives.

"It will look at the places we live, genetics, culture, heritage and lifestyles," he said.

He added there were huge health benefits to be had by engaging with the communities and getting positive input into which direction the research should be going.

Those instrumental in putting the study together have promised it will not be a group of scientists doing research in a laboratory but something the whole city can be involved in.

An independent user panel will be established comprising parents, community leaders, and local health and education professionals to review the nature, direction and ethics of the study.

The project team will also widely consult with schools and the community to promote awareness of Born in Bradford.