THE UK’s largest health research programme, Our Future Health, has set up a clinic in Asda car park in Frome and is seeking adult volunteers of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to have aspects of their health tested.
At the clinic, as well as having a blood sample and some physical measurements taken, volunteers will be offered information about their own health, including their blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
In the future, volunteers will also be given the option to receive feedback about their risk of some diseases and have the opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research studies.
The newly opened clinic at Asda is one of 24 new locations countrywide this month, taking the total to 153.
Our Future Health works in partnership with the NHS, other charities including British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and the Stroke Association and industry; it aims to help people live healthier lives for longer, through the prevention, detection and treatment of conditions such as dementia, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
The goal is to create one of the most detailed pictures ever of people’s health, by gathering and studying the health data of five million volunteers.
Chief medical officer of the charity, Dr Raghib Ali, said, “With each new clinic opening, we want to give even more people the opportunity to take part in Our Future Health, particularly people who have never done anything like this before. These are the people who will benefit the most from our programme because their participation will enable us to make new discoveries about disease within their communities. By encouraging people from every background to take part, we can make discoveries that benefit everyone.”
The only requirements for Our Future Health volunteers are to be aged 18 or over and resident in the UK. To participate, complete an online registration at ourfuturehealth.org.uk and book a clinic appointment. The clinic for Frome residents is based in the car park at Asda, Warminster Rd, BA11 5LA.
