A town's generation tracked by doctors

The Born in Bradford study will piece together a picture of each child's genes, diet, lifestyle, schooling, home neighbourhood and upbringing.

Researchers will also follow the children's parents and grandparents.

The study will enable doctors to explore the causes of major diseases such as diabetes, cancer and hypertension.

It will be the first study of its kind to research the impact of ethnicity on later health and educational development. Twenty per cent of Bradford's population belong to minority ethnic groups.

Pauline Raynor, the study's project manager, hopes families from all communities will take part. She said, 'The project is something the whole city can get involved in - it's not just medical research taking place in a laboratory.

'Bradford is one of England's poorest communities with high levels of illness and disease. Mortality in Bradford is 6 per cent above the national average.'

Professor John Wright, director of research and development at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the study 'would be the key to not only improving the health of Bradford people, but also of others across the world. We will be able to find out why some children grow up healthy and well-balanced, and why many others become sick.'

The study will cost 3m, with funding from the Department of Health and the European Commission. A 1m appeal has been launched in Bradford, urging businesses, community groups and individuals to back the project.

For more information visit www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk/bradford_babies.

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