In Which I Become a Medical Statistic

[drplokta]

Just got a letter asking me to take part in UK Biobank, which is apparently the largest long-term longitudinal study of health outcomes. Since they're trying to sign up 500,000 people between 40 and 69, which is probably around 1 in 40 of that total age group, it's quite likely that one or two of my friends list will get similar letter.

I have to go along for a 90 minute assessment in June (on a Saturday, how sensible of them), when they'll ask some questions and do some basic measurements (height, weight, waist size, bone density, blood pressure and lung function) and take blood and urine samples. Should be interesting, and this kind of study will eventually be immensely helpful in working out things like whether or not obesity really is bad for your health.

Comments

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Woohoo!

I'm still too young for something...

[djelibeybi-meg.livejournal.com]

We did ours a few weeks ago. Standard BP, height, weight, etc. plus bone density, body mass, lung capacity and reaction times. All very simple, unintrusive information gathering.

I expressed my surprise that this hasn't been done years before, but got the response that it all comes down to funding.

[drplokta]

Storing your DNA for the next 40 years for analysis is actually pretty intrusive, but the safeguards look OK.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

So is your DNA useable by the police in criminal cases?

[drplokta]

"5. Will the police have access to the information?
We will not grant access to the police, the security services or to lawyers unless forced to do so by the courts (and, in some circumstances, we would oppose such access vigorously)."

You can have your information withdrawn and destroyed, and in the event of any such court order I will immediately do so (and so, I presume, will everyone else).

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

thanks

[miramon.livejournal.com]

We got the letter and said no. Partly because of doubts about the intrusiveness, but mostly because it was really hard for us to find the time - had to be a weekday, no weekends - maybe they've changed to allowing Saturdays because they weren't getting enough people signing up.

[dougs.livejournal.com]

I was done last October.

[lil-shepherd.livejournal.com]

I've been on the Civil Service long-term stress study since I was thirty five. This sounds as if it might end up even bigger. Damn useful having a full health check every five years or so...

[twinfair.livejournal.com]

I did it about six months ago. It was interesting and they give you a quick tick list after to point out any obvious health risks. I thought the bone analyser was cool (and I have good bones) and the only negative was my BMI was a bit high but I could have guessed that - it was more reassuring that nothing else appeared to be of concern. The safeguards seemed to me to be adequate.

When I was sat at the computer, my next door neighbour was placed next to me which made us laugh, but caused them a bit of a panic and they offered to move her away if she wanted. Almost immediately after she said she was fine with it, the computer started asking me all the, erm, most personal questions. She couldn't see my answers I am sure. It is a pity they didn't offer the answer "I wish". :)

[purplecthulhu.livejournal.com]

I just got my invite.

Am pondering the security issues. I'm in favour of this kind of research in principle, but the idea of having my DNA profile lurking somewhere that can be accessed by court order isn't attractive given the current governments attitude to data sharing and privacy.

Not sure what to do at this point...