Children's Health Act
Encyclopedia
The Children's Health Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-310 Sec. 1004) is a legislative measure, passed by the United States Congress
, which directs federal agencies to undertake a national, long-term study of children's health and development in relation to environmental exposures; specifically diseases that are increasingly prevalent in the United States, such as autism
and asthma
. These disorders include, hearing loss, epilepsy, brain injuries, infant mortality, lead poisoning, and oral health.
Seven existing Vanguard centers, located primarily at major research universities across the US, are scheduled start enrolling pregnant women during 2008 as part of the planned National Children's Study
. The projected twenty-five year study is expected to recruit 100,000 children from before birth to age twenty-one. An additional twenty-two centers are slated to be added as part of the $3.2 billion project aimed at finding cures to some of the nation's most pressing health problems. The study will be the largest ever to look at the ways in which environment and genetics
interact to influence child health and human development.
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, which directs federal agencies to undertake a national, long-term study of children's health and development in relation to environmental exposures; specifically diseases that are increasingly prevalent in the United States, such as autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
and asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
. These disorders include, hearing loss, epilepsy, brain injuries, infant mortality, lead poisoning, and oral health.
Seven existing Vanguard centers, located primarily at major research universities across the US, are scheduled start enrolling pregnant women during 2008 as part of the planned National Children's Study
National Children's Study
The National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21...
. The projected twenty-five year study is expected to recruit 100,000 children from before birth to age twenty-one. An additional twenty-two centers are slated to be added as part of the $3.2 billion project aimed at finding cures to some of the nation's most pressing health problems. The study will be the largest ever to look at the ways in which environment and genetics
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
interact to influence child health and human development.
External links
- NationalChildrensstudy.gov - National Children's StudyNational Children's StudyThe National Children’s Study will examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21...
- Reuters.com - 'Study of U.S. child health takes big step forward', ReutersReutersReuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
(October 4, 2007)