Recruitment Opens for an Unprecedented Nationwide Children's Health Study

WINDSOR, Conn., Oct. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Enrollment is now open for the first-of-its kind study of the environmental and lifestyle factors that affect children's health.  The Child Health Inventory for Resilience and Prevention study (CHIRP^TM) will create a comprehensive, total health portrait of the children enrolled. The goal is to capture a 360-degree view of the many influences on children's health. Data collected in this study will inform future research projects with the goal of preventing childhood illness and optimizing the health of future generations of children.  

The study, part of the Documenting Hope Project, is sponsored by Epidemic Answers. This non-profit organization is dedicated to finding healing solutions for children's chronic illnesses.  CHIRP™ is the first of several anticipated studies that examine the environmental and lifestyle factors that cumulatively shape the lives and health of children.  The Documenting Hope Project studies are designed to scientifically test the possibility of transforming children's health by controlling or eliminating the things that affect their bodies every day. 

The scientific studies are led by Martha Herbert, PhD, MD, who joined Documenting Hope as principal investigator because of the great synergy between her work and the aims and methods of the program.  Dr. Herbert has pioneered a whole body-brain-environmental systems approach that has been the basis of a body of research and clinical work. She founded TRANSCEND Research Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School/MIT Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, and the Higher Synthesis programs in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Herbert is the author of many scientific papers, and of the Harvard Health publications book, The Autism Revolution: Whole Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be.

The CHIRP^TM study is currently recruiting 1000 parents and guardians of children ages 1-15 nationwide, whether they are healthy or experiencing health challenges, to participate in the research. "We are looking to gather an unprecedented amount of data to reinforce and further explore what is already known about the importance of nutrition, environment and lifestyle factors on children's health," says Dr. Herbert. 

The survey will collect information about the broad range of factors in children's lives that affect their health and development. Those participating in this study will receive a free report personalized to their children.  They will also have the opportunity to be a part of cutting-edge scientific research aimed at better understanding the state of children's health and wellness in today's complex world.

"Practitioners want better ways to understand their patients' medical and personal life history to inform their care, but they do not have the tools to collect such detailed information," points out Dr. Herbert.  CHIRP™ personalized reports can be shared with the children's health care providers and be used to generate new ideas about how to better support each child's health and well-being. Dr. Herbert notes that the reports are not a substitute for medical advice and are only intended to be used in collaboration with a medical professional.

Participants who complete the questionnaire may opt into future research opportunities.  These may include clinical programs studying the impact of environmental and lifestyle changes on health dynamics.

"The time is now for the scientific community to take recovery, environment and nutrition seriously—our future depends on it," says Dr. Herbert.

To enroll as a participant, visit https://documentinghope.com/chirp-study/

About Epidemic Answers
Epidemic Answers is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding healing solutions for the New Childhood Epidemics of chronic illnesses.  The non-profit's mission is to educate and empower parents and caregivers so that they can make healthy choices to support their child's health and wellbeing.  Epidemic Answers is the sponsor of Documenting Hope, a multi-year research and documentation project to assess the cumulative impact of stressors and supports for children suffering from chronic illness.  For more information go to: www.documentinghope.com.

SOURCE Epidemic Answers

Related Links

http://www.epidemicanswers.org

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