Detroit -The Michigan Alliance of the National Children's Study (MANCS) today announced the launch of the National Children's Study (NCS) in Wayne County. Wayne County is the first of five Michigan counties to participate in what is the largest long-term study of children's health in the U.S. The study will document the effects of the social and physical environment on children's health from pregnancy to age 21. 100,000 families nationwide will participate in the study. Wayne County is one of 30 national vanguard sites selected to test various recruitment methods to enroll women who are pregnant, or considering becoming pregnant in the near future.

"Nationally, we spend billions to treat childhood conditions such as cerebral palsy, birth defects, autism and asthma. Until now, we have never supported large scale research across the nation that examines the conditions and factors that influence a child's health before, during and after birth," said Nigel Paneth, MD, MPH , Michigan State University, a pediatrician and perinatal epidemiologist and principal investigator of MANCS. "The National Children's Study has the potential to discover ways to improve the overall health and well-being of children and to prevent disease, helping to guide health practice, clinical interventions and health policy for future generations."

"We are at the forefront of this effort. As a community, we have the opportunity to embrace the study," said Christine LM Joseph, PhD, senior staff epidemiologist, Henry Ford Health System. "We have much to gain in terms of the future health of our children, and Wayne County is a key player as one of the first locations nationally to launch."

Women who are or will soon be pregnant are eligible for the Study if they reside in statistically selected neighborhoods. The study sample will accurately reflect the diversity of Wayne County. Those who join the study will be asked to stay involved from before the child is born until he or she reaches their 21st birthday. Participating mothers will be asked a series of questions about their and their child's health and environment. Study staff will collect samples from participants and the environment. No medications or drugs will be administered. Participants will be compensated at various intervals during the Study.

Wayne County is asking obstetricians, gynecologists, pediatricians, nurses and members of the health community to provide Study information to patients. Study recruitment includes community outreach and information. Potential participants can ask their health care provider for information, or check eligibility by calling 888-99-MI-NCS (888-996-4627). MANCS will enroll the first participants this month.

"Whether you participate personally in this Study or encourage someone to do so, you are doing a great service for our community," says Paneth. "You truly have the ability to impact the health of future generations."

The NCS is funded by the National Institutes of Health. In 2007, MANCS received an $18.5 million, 5-year contract to conduct the Study in Wayne County. In 2008, MANCS received an additional $57 million in funding to conduct the NCS in Genesee, Grand Traverse, Lenawee and Macomb Counties; these counties will launch over the next few years as results of the vanguard study become available. In addition to the health benefits of the study, these contracts are bringing quality jobs to Michigan.

The Michigan Alliance for the National Children's Study, which is conducting the study in Michigan, is a collaborative partnership of scientists and health care providers representing Henry Ford Health System, Michigan Department of Community Health, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Wayne State University and its affiliate, Children's Hospital of Michigan. In Wayne County, MANCS is collaborating with the Detroit Department of Health & Wellness Promotion and Wayne County Health and Human Services.

• MSU coordinates the overall work of the study and houses the main study office at its East Lansing campus. MSU is also responsible for the retention of study participants. MSU Extension plays a major role in developing community engagement in each of the five counties.
• U-M is responsible for enrolling and interviewing study participants and assessing postnatal child development.
• WSU oversees the assessment and care of pregnant women. Children's Hospital of Michigan manages the repository for biological samples.
• Henry Ford Health System works with MSU Extension to develop community support, manage environmental samples, and oversee medical examinations of children.
• MDCH provides information related to live birth characteristics and locations in each of the five participating counties.

For further information on the study, call 1-877-40-MANCS (877-406-2627) or visit www.mancs.us and www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov. For eligibility information, call 1-888-99-MI-NCS (888-996-4627).