15 March 2011

Scots family study attracts more than 23,000 volunteers

Photo opportunity/press call - 11.30am to 12.30 pm, Wednesday March 16
Clinical Research Centre, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee

Professor Andrew Morris, Director of the Biomedical Research Institute at the University of Dundee and lead on the Scottish Family Health Study, will be available for interview.

We will also have a volunteer to the study available for interview.

One of the largest health studies ever launched in Scotland has now recruited more than 23,000 volunteers, all of them contributing to a project which could have a major impact on the people’s health for generations to come.

The Scottish Family Health Study (SFHS) was launched in 2006 and aims to track the health of thousands of Scottish families over many years, giving researchers a better understanding of how and why common diseases run in families. This in turn may lead to better forms of prevention and treatment being developed.

Already more then 50 scientific studies are using data gathered through the SFHS. These include collaborations with researchers around the world.

The study is funded by the Scottish Executive and is part of the wider Generation Scotland project, a unique venture which involves all five of Scotland's University medical schools and the NHS in Scotland. Around 30,000 people nationwide are enrolled in Generation Scotland projects.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902