Largest health study with 200,000 participants

National cohort: Germany's largest health study

09/27/2014

200,000 people will be examined in the coming years as part of the largest German health study. The focus is on the research and prevention of common diseases. Now also in Berlin and Münster study centers of the „National cohort“ open.

200,000 people are to be examined
Over the next 20 to 30 years, 200,000 people will be examined at a total of 18 study centers as part of the largest German health study. The focus of the National Cohort Study is the research and prevention of common diseases. The motto of the investigation: „Research together for a healthier future.“ On Friday, two study centers of the National Cohort (NAKO) were opened. One of them in Münster by the North Rhine-Westphalian Science Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) and another at the Charité in Berlin.

Everyone contributes to the exploration
The center in Münster is one of three in North Rhine-Westphalia, the other two are in Essen and Düsseldorf. At the Charité Study Center on Campus Berlin Mitte, 10,000 capital residents between the ages of 20 and 69 are to be medically examined over the next few years and questioned about their living conditions. It will start on 1 October. Participants are selected randomly from the address database of the registration offices, but you can not apply for it. „The success of the study stands and falls with the commitment of the population“, explained Professor Karl Max Einhäupl, Chairman of the Charité. Each individual participant would help to advance the research into common diseases.

New knowledge about diseases expected
„If you are fortunate to be selected for this study, you will receive a comprehensive study program at the study center“, shared Charité project coordinator Privatdozent Thomas wedge with. To gain new insights into common diseases such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, depression, infectious diseases or cardiovascular diseases, the free check-up measures, for example, sugar levels, blood pressure and lung function and determines various blood levels. Some participants also receive a 3D ultrasound scan of the heart and whole-body magnetic resonance imaging. As emphasized by the Charité, all examinations were voluntary and the study participants were informed on request of the examination results. The next investigation would be after five years with identical program.

„Best invested tax money“
Berlin Research Senator Cornelia Yzer said on the occasion of the opening: „Identifying risk factors for common diseases, identifying ways of effective prevention and developing early detection options are some of the biggest medical challenges. Therefore, the benefits in the sense of prevention and therapy are the best tax money.“ The „National cohort“ is not only Germany's largest health study, but probably the one with the highest costs. With a total of 210 million euros, the large-scale social study is funded by the federal government, the participating countries and the Helmholtz Association. (Ad)