Germany's largest health study started

Largest health study in Germany starts

07/05/2014

Over the next few years, 20,000 people from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern will be analyzed precisely in order to better understand and prevent diseases. The focus of the largest German health study to date is on „common diseases“ like cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

New findings about common diseases
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Neustrelitz investigations for a health megaproject have begun. According to the project leader, the so-called National Cohort is the largest health study in Germany. As the University of Greifswald announced on Friday, the first subjects would already „thoroughly tested“ become. In total, around 20,000 men and women are to be examined in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by 2018. The aim of the study is to gain new insights into what makes people ill and how they can protect themselves from disease. The focus is on „common diseases“ such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, depression, infectious diseases and cardiovascular disease.

Nationwide, 200,000 people will be examined
Nationwide, over 20 years, 200,000 men and women will be examined in 18 study centers. Participants aged 20 to 69 years are observed for at least ten years each. They are examined in this context and asked about lifestyle habits, such as physical activity, smoking, nutrition, work and social environment. The medical examination includes, among other things, investigations on blood pressure, lung function or hand gripping force. In addition, blood samples are taken from the subjects and stored for later research projects in a central biobank bank, as it is called on the website of the National Cohort. The initial examinations last between three and a half and six hours respectively. Later, at intervals of several years, further tests follow. The study participants are invited randomly with the help of the registration offices.

Data on common diseases since 1997
Among other things, the research project is based on the regional SHIP study (Study of Health in Pomerania), in which the University of Greifswald has been collecting data on widespread diseases of the population in Western Pomerania since 1997. In a statement, the head of the Institute for Community Medicine at University Medicine, Wolfgang Hoffmann said: „The findings from the SHIP study are an elementary basis for medical research and the National Cohort will change our society sustainably.“ Professor Hoffmann is also involved in the National Cohort as a member of the Executive Board.

Even the cost of the study reach record
A Neustrelitz study center and the Dietrich-Bonhoeffer-Klinikum in Neubrandenburg are the starting points for the new project in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In other regions, investigations were started earlier, as in Lower Saxony. The National Cohort office is located in Heidelberg. As the organizers announced, the total cost of the research project is 210 million euros and that too is a record for a German study. (Ad)