The State of Michigan has received $57-million from the National Institute of Health for researching how factors, such as, environment impact the health and physical condition of children.

One of the largest human health studies, the National Children’s Study will examine 100,000 children from birth till age twenty-one, statewide, including pregnant women.  MSU, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Henry Ford Health Systems and state and county health departments, are some of those participating in the study, which according to Dr. Duane Alexander, Director, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development will provide useful information in the treatment and prevention of several childhood conditions.

As part of the study, the air quality, water, dust and soil samples will be collected from homes of all study participants, including an expert analysis of umbilical-cord blood and placenta taken at birth. Babies and children will undergo blood tests, while other factors will be monitored to judge how they impact the development of asthma, autism, diabetes, obesity, attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder and other health issues.

Beginning in 2004, Wayne Country received $18.5 million from the NIH last fall New funding has helped spread the project to Macomb, Genesee, Grand Traverse and Lenawee counties.  And, in July 2010, local researchers will organize the selection of pregnant women or those planning pregnancies for participating in the National Children’s Study, involving 5,000 Michigan children.

The cost of the national study comes to $3.2 billion, with Lamar County receiving an estimated $1.8-million over five years for funding the research.  Already, $200 million has been spent since 2000 to 2007 on initiating the study.