Our Future Health is now the largest longitudinal cohort study in the world that uses blood samples, with over a million people from across the UK having joined.
The health research programme was set up with funding from UK Research and Innovation’s Accelerating Detection of Disease Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK.
It is an ambitious collaboration between the public sector, life sciences companies and leading UK health charities.
The programme aims to transform the prevention, detection and treatment of conditions such as:
- dementia
- cancer
- diabetes
- heart disease
- stroke
With eventually up to five million volunteers right across the UK, the goal is to create one of the most detailed pictures ever of people’s health.
Research that benefits everyone
Our Future Health also has the largest ever number of participants from under-represented groups in a health research programme.
It includes people from more diverse and representative populations from every part of the UK.
This means it can be used for research that benefits everyone, including tackling diseases that disproportionately affect some groups across society, thereby reducing health inequalities.
Live longer and healthier lives
Dr Raghib Ali OBE, CEO of Our Future Health, said: "We can now say that Our Future Health is the world’s largest health research programme of its kind. Our volunteers’ data is creating a transformative scientific resource that will power health discoveries for decades to come and help everyone live longer and healthier lives. Already, we have an incredibly detailed picture of the UK’s health, offering health researchers a window into the causes of every major common disease. For the first time, researchers will be able to look at the genetic information of over a million people and see how it interacts with demographics, lifestyle, physical measurements, family history, and personal medical records. And because our volunteers have consented to be re-contacted to take part in further health studies, we’ll also be able to work towards preventing those diseases."
Significant milestone reached
Dr Stella Peace, Interim Executive Chair and Executive Director for the Healthy Living and Agriculture Domain at Innovate UK, said: "Reaching one million full participants represents a significant milestone for Our Future Health. This programme will greatly expand the opportunities for researchers from academia, charities and industry, driving business growth and innovations that make life better. The creation of Our Future Health, with funding from the UK government, charities and industry illustrates the power of collaboration and a shared commitment to the programme."
How to sign up
Our Future Health is rolling out on a region-by-region basis and is sending invitations to people who live near clinics.
However, anyone over the age of 18 can join by signing up online at the Our Future Health website, completing an online health questionnaire, and booking a short clinic appointment.
Volunteers who don’t live near a location where Our Future Health appointments are currently available can register to be notified when new appointment locations become available.
At their clinic appointment, as well as having a blood sample and some physical measurements taken, volunteers are offered information about their own health.
This article was first published on 16 October by Innovate UK (UKRI).
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