Is anyone involved with a long-term national study?

[TheBitchOfTheVicar]

Listening to a R4 programme, apparently 30,000 people are involved in a shopping survey, scanning all shopping and receipts, to give an idea of the nation's shopping habits. Also there is that 7up survey. And presumably some twins and multiples studies.

Is anyone here involved in one they would like to share? I have nothing to contribute; just being nosey!

I’m part of two fairly new ones.

PrEP impact trial which started in 2017. This has successfully led to the NHS/NICE finally approving PrEP/

The illegal blood bank. They take blood donations and use them in medical research. It’s very new (nov 19), but they aim to continue to use as many of the original participant as possible.

@lakeswimmer me too shame our birthdays will be during lockdown. I had so much planned!

I’m part of the generations breast cancer one

Breast cancer.

DS is part of Child of the New Century, it's been fascinating to be part of. We have been visited every few years since ds was 6 months old. It has involved dh and myself as well as ds with various things. Activity trackers, IQ tests, milk teeth examination just a few that I can remember.
I'm not sure how long they will follow him for now though, he's 19 this year.

I've done the Living in Britain survey for the past 27 years. It's an annual survey about financials, what your thoughts are on various aspects of Britain currently, how you're feeling etc. It's run by the University of Essex I think.

I apply machine learning techniques to birth cohort studies to understand development of childhood diseases. These are such important studies and the findings are fascinating. Thanks to all who volunteer their time for these.

@60sPony how fascinating! I’ll be analyzing this data!

I know it's rubbish isn't it? DH were supposed to be on a trip away without the kids this week and we've got two more holidays planned both of which seem unlikely. We don't normally go away much but decided to push the boat out this year

I'm another person who uses the data from the birth cohort studies (and BHPS/USoc if there are any members of these on here) - thanks for being a part of them!

We are in the Understanding Society study, we were randomly selected by our postcode around the time dd1 was born 12 years ago. Initially a researcher came to the house annually, now it’s online. The questions are about our finances, health, worries, politics. Dd1 is old enough to take part now, we get paid £20 in vouchers every year and they send regular updates.

I am also doing Flusurvey and I’ve volunteered to have a covid19 swab taken as part of that; and I do Healthwise Wales which involves regular health related surveys.

We're part of the Understanding Society survey too, but we've always had a person interviewing. Might be different this year

I think the last 3 have been online, maybe it depends on where you live?

It's good to hear from some researchers on this thread and to know the information is useful

I do the shopping one (Kantar). It doesn't take very long to scan shopping as you unpack it and they give you points over the year for submissions which can be exchanged for shopping vouchers 😁. I randomly got sent an invite to join maybe 10 years ago and have been doing it since.

We do understanding society as well but also growing up in Scotland. With both it's either a face to face or online interview then once a year there's a results type thing sent out to give you an idea of the information they gathered and how they'll use it. Kids take part too but their questions are confidential to do with health and wellbeing mostly.

Ten year breast cancer drug study, annual questionnaire, mammogram and check up.

Not me, but my dog is signed up to Generation Pup, a lifelong study into canine health and behaviour. Run by Bristol Uni Vet School and funded by Dog's Trust.

Open to puppies under 16 weeks.
www.generationpup.ac.uk

A friend is part of a cohort of "gifted children" who have been studied for several decades now.

At university, friend was nowhere near the brightest in their year. These days they get to work in a field they've chosen and enjoy, but haven't become a millionaire or a famous name.

I’m also in the breast cancer generations study - as is my mum & my grandmother was (she died of breast cancer).

And dc is in the mavidos maternal vitamin d study - has follow up bone scans every few years though we might have done the last one now.

I do the flu survey mentioned upthread. I used to work in health data so I like to do my bit. I'm signed up for the KCL/ZOE symptom tracker for Covid-19 as well now.

I'm also in the UK Biobank Study.

I also do assessments through Protect Study. We take part in research into how brains work, mainly for studies into dementia. Anyone can sign up and they then match you with studies that you can choose to help with or choose not to, if it is difficult at that time.

I'm part of a cohort study that enrolled almost everyone born in the county that year. DM was approached and enrolled at the maternity hospital, and I've been doing it ever since. It's a combination of questionnaires and in person visits for things like medical tests - I get to do my bit for science, and they send gift vouchers in return.

My son is part of a long term study. As it was from when he was about 9 months I am also part of it as my interactions with him form some aspects of it. He's had lots of interesting things to do and I've enjoyed each time we get tasks or tests. They also pay a little for each thing we do which I then put into his savings account. It was funny to think he was earning money!
Cant remember exactly how much longer it will go on for but we're in the third year of it now.

I'm a participant in the New Zealand Values and Attitudes Study, see here: www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/new-zealand-attitudes-and-values-study.html

It's been running for 20 years and it's very interesting! I fiill in a survey every year.