Welcome to the "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort Study!
We are a Hong Kong birth cohort study carried out in 1997. Many children born during April to May 1997 participated in this project. It is currently the largest in Asia and represents the Chinese people. birth cohort.
Hong Kong is a novel location for birth cohort studies. She has the advantages brought about by the industrial revolution, including a modern living environment such as affluent life, universal medical services and infrastructure. However, Hong Kong's population structure mainly migrated from mainland China in the middle of the 20th century, which was still before the industrial revolution, but in the past sixty years, Hong Kong's socio-economic patterns and disease types have undergone unprecedented drastic changes. This makes Hong Kong a unique location from which to explore the origins of socioeconomic and epidemic disease impacts on children's health and development under the premise of rapid transformation in just two to three generations. Most developing Asian regions are following Hong Kong's development trend. The results of the "Children of 1997" birth cohort will shed light on the epidemiological development and the direction of public health measures in these regions.
latest news
health follow-up plan
We launched a new round of health follow-up program in August 2013, conducting simple health checks for participants, and making statistics and analysis of the collected data, with the purpose of studying the causes and development of various chronic diseases (such as diabetes and heart disease) , thereby improving public health. Inspection items include pulmonary function test, fat percentage test, collection of biochemical samples (including saliva, urine, hair and toenails) and blood sample test, among which the blood test is used to test fasting blood sugar, blood lipid, liver function, kidney function and Complete blood count. We will also conduct a questionnaire survey to the participants. After completing the examination, participants will receive supermarket gift certificates and a detailed health examination report, which includes the results of various examinations. Participants can make appropriate arrangements for their own health according to the results of the report. Another important purpose of this follow-up plan is to establish a biochemical sample database (Biobank) for future research purposes.
For the convenience of "Children of 1997" participants living in various districts, we set up checkpoints in Tuen Mun, Yau Ma Tei and City University of Hong Kong. So far, more than 3,000 members have completed this health follow-up check. Since "Children of 1997" is a long-term follow-up study, every member is very important to this study! Participating in this program can not only check your own health status, but also greatly help medical research in Hong Kong.
We sincerely invite you to participate in our health follow-up program. If you have received invitations and have not responded, we sincerely hope that you will find time to participate. If you want to participate in this health follow-up program, but have not received an invitation letter, please emailaprmay97@hku.hkOr call us at 3917 6781. We look forward to seeing you at the follow-up planning checkpoint later!
About "Children of Nine Seven"
Research Background
I believe that 1997 is an important year in the minds of many Hong Kong people, because Hong Kong officially returned to the motherland from the status of a British colony. But for a research team from the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong government's Department of Health, it also marks the creation of one of the largest birth cohorts in Asia.
The Department of Community Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (the predecessor of the School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong) has been committed to tobacco control. In view of the serious smoking situation in China, the "Children of 1997" study was initially conceived to provide sufficient medical evidence on the impact of second-hand smoke on infant health, and was launched with funding from the Hong Kong Health Care and Promotion Fund.
Special thanks to Dr. Lin Shilin and Ms. Zeng Zhihua
Published Research Results
The following are the findings of the "Children of 1997" birth cohort study published in international peer-reviewed medical journals.
- Cheng TS, Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. The Associations of Breast Feeding with Infant Growth and Body Mass Index to 16 years: 'Children of 1997'. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2017 Dec 27. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12434.[pubmed]
- Huang JV, Leung GM, Schooling CM. The Association of Air Pollution With Pubertal Development: Evidence From Hong Kong's “Children of 1997” Birth Cohort. American journal of May 85; 7y. 20 10):914-23[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Pubertal testis volume, age at pubertal onset, and adolescent blood pressure: Evidence from Hong Kong's “Children of 1997” birth cohort. American Journal of Huy Bio 2017 Mar 1.[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency and physical and mental health until adolescence. PLoS One. 2016 Nov; 11(11): e0166192_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad_cf58d[pubmed]
- Huang JV, Leung GM, Schooling CM. The association of air pollution with birthweight and gestational age: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Journal of Public Health. 2016 Jul_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad_cf58d[pubmed]
- Lai TC, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Maternal age of menarche and blood pressure in adolescence: Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort. PLoS One. 2016 Jul; 11(7): e0159855_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Schooling CM, Subramanian SV, Leung GM, Kawachi I. Pathways from parental educational attainment to adolescent blood pressure. Journal of Hypertension. 2016 Sep; 34(9): 1787-95_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136dad5cf[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Schooling CM, Leung GM, Subramanian SV. Grandparental education, parental education and adolescent blood pressure. Preventive Medicine. 2016 Sep; 90: 59-65 [pubmed]
- Wang H, Lin SL, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Age at onset of puberty and adolescent depression: "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort. Pediatrics. 2016 Jun; 137(6). pii:e20153231_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b- 136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Leung JY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Socioeconomic disparities in preterm birth and birth weight in a non-Western developed setting: evidence from Hong Kong "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2016 Nov; 70( 11): 1074-1081 [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Association of birth order with early adolescent growth, pubertal onset, blood pressure and size: Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort. PLoS One. 2016 Apr; 11(4): e0153787 [pubmed]
- Lai TC, Au Yeung SL, Lin SL, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Maternal age of menarche and adiposity: Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Epidemiology. 2016 May; 27(3); 433-7_cc781905- 5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Leung JY, Lam HS, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Gestational age, birth weight for gestational age, and childhood hospitalizations for asthma and other wheezing disorders. Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2016 Mar; 30(2): 149-59_cc781905-5cde -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Social patterning in adiposity in adolescence. Prospective observations from the Chinese Birth Cohort "Children of 1997". PLoS One. 2016 Jan;[pubmed]
- Leung JY, Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Breastfeeding and childhood hospitalization for asthma and other wheezing disorders. Annals of Epidemiology. 2016 Jan; 26(1): 21-7 [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Subramanian SV, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Household income and adolescent blood pressure in a Chinese birth cohort: "Children of 1997". Social Science and Medicine. 2015 Nov; 144: 88-95_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Lam HS, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Late prematurity and adiposity in adolescents: Evidence from "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Obesity (Sliver Spring). 2015 Nov; 23(11): 2309-14_cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Early second-hand smoke exposure and child and adolescent mental health: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Addiction. 2015 Nov; 110(11): 1811-24_cc781905-5cde -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Wong MY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. The association of infant growth patterns with adiposity in adolescence: Prospective observations from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort. Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. 2015 Jul; 29(4): 326-34 [pubmed]
- Wang H, Leung GM, Lam HS, Schooling CM. Gestational age and adolescent mental health: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Archives of disease in childhood. 2015 Jun; 100(9): 856-62_cc781905- 5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Leung JY, Li AM, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Mode of delivery and childhood hospitalizations for asthma and other wheezing disorders. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2015 Jun; 45(6):1109-17_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136dad5cf[pubmed]
- Wang H, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Adiposity and early adolescent emotional/behavioral problems. Journal of Pediatrics. 2015 Jun; 166(6):1404-9 [pubmed]
- Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Informal child care and adolescent psychological well-being: Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. PLoS One. 2015 Mar; 10(3):e0120116_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-138bad_5cf[pubmed]
- Wang H, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Life course body mass index and adolescent self-esteem: Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2015 Feb; 23(2): 429-35_cc781905 -5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Wang H, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Life course adiposity and adolescent depressive symptoms among Hong Kong adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136b :408-14. [pubmed]
- Tarrant M, Schooling CM, Leung SL, Mak KH, Ho LM, Leung GM. Impact of breastfeeding on infectious disease hospitalisation: the children of 1997 cohort._cc781905-5cde-3191f Kong Medical Journal. 2014 Aug;20 Suppl 4:5-6.[pubmed]
- Leung CY, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Migrant status and child and adolescent psychological well-being: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort._cc751905-5cde-3ad-319 of Epidemiology & Community Health. 2014 Oct 10. pii: jech-2014-204429 [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Au Yeung SL1, Leung GM1, Schooling CM. Birth weight, infant growth, and adolescent blood pressure using twin status as an instrumental variable in a Chinese birth cohort1: "997" .Annals of Epidemiology. 2014 Jul;24(7):509-15. [pubmed]
- Hou WW, Tse MA, Lam TH, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Adolescent testosterone, muscle mass and glucose metabolism: evidence from the 'Children of 1997' birth cohort in Hong Kong._cc75cde -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Diabetic Medicine. 2014 Oct 11.[pubmed]
- Lin SL, Leung GM, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Timing of solid food introduction and obesity: Hong Kong's "children of 1997" birth cohort.Pediatrics. 2013 May;131(5):e1459-67.[pubmed]
- Lin SL, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Mode of delivery and adiposity: Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Annals of Epidemiology._cc781905-5cde- 3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_2013 Nov;23(11):693-9. [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Lam TH, Leung SS,_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Schooling CM. Grandparental education, parental education and child height: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Annals of Epidemiology. 2013 Aug; 23(8):475-84.[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Freeman G, Lin SL, Lam TH,_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Schooling CM. Simulated growth trajectories and blood pressure in adolescence: Hong Kong's Chinese Birth Cohort. Journal of Hypertension. 2013 Sep;31(9):1785 -97.[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Breastfeeding and adolescent blood pressure: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology._cc781905 -5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_2013 Sep 15;178(6):928-36.[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Breast feeding and early adolescent behaviour, self-esteem and depression: Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2013 Nov;98(11):887-94. [pubmed]
- Heys M, Lin SL, Lam TH, Leung GM,_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Schooling CM. Lifetime growth and blood pressure in adolescence: Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Pediatrics. 2013 Jan;131(1): e62-72. [pubmed]
- Schooling CM, Hui LL, Ho LM, Lam TH,_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Leung GM. Cohort profile: 'children of 1997': a Hong Kong Chinese birth cohort. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2012 Jun;41(3) :611-20. [pubmed]
- Lin SL, Tarrant M, Hui LL, Kwok MK, Lam TH, Leung GM, Schooling CM. The role of dairy products and milk in adolescent obesity: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. PLoS One.2012;7(12):e52575. [pubmed]
- Lin SL, Lee SL, Hui LL, Au Yeung SL, Tse MA, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Pubertal muscle mass and diabetes markers in Chinese adolescents.American Journal of Human Biology._cc781905 -3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_2012 Mar-Apr;24(2):183-5.[pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Breastfeeding, childhood milk consumption, and onset of puberty. Pediatrics._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad3_20302d: e631-9. [pubmed]
- Hui LL, Leung GM, Wong MY, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Small for gestational age and age at puberty: evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology. American Journal of Epidemiology._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58(No 17) -93. [pubmed]
- Hui LL, Leung GM, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Inter-generational influences on age at onset of puberty: Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2012 Feb;41(1):292-300.[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Wong MY, Lam TH, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Infant growth and onset of puberty: prospective observations from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort._cc781905-94-cde-3 bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Annals of Epidemiology. 2012 Jan;22(1):43-50.[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Leung GM, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Premature birth and age at onset of puberty. Epidemiology. 2012 May ;23(3):415-22. [pubmed]
- Schooling CM, Kwok MK, Yau C, Cowling BJ, Lam TH, Leung GM. Spatial proximity and childhood hospital admissions in a densely populated conurbation: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Child7ren' of 19 .Health Place. 2011 Sep;17(5):1038-43. [pubmed]
- Lin SL, Leung GM, Hui LL, Lam TH,_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Schooling CM. Is informal child care associated with childhood obesity? Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. International Journal of Epidemiology(4012-Oct;2) 46. [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Leung GM, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Early life infections and onset of puberty: evidence from Hong Kong's children of 1997 birth cohort. Epidemiology. 2010 Nov;21(6):847-54._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Tarrant M, Kwok MK, Lam TH, Leung GM, Schooling CM. Breast-feeding and childhood hospitalizations for infections. Epidemiology._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_2010 Nov;21(6):847-54. [pubmed]
- Schooling CM, Yau C, Cowling BJ, Lam TH, Leung GM. Socio-economic disparities of childhood Body Mass Index in a newly developed population: evidence from Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth .Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2010 Jun;95(6):437-43. [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Schooling CM, Lam TH, Leung GM. Paternal smoking and childhood overweight: evidence from the Hong Kong "Children of 1997".Pediatrics._cc781905-55cde-3194-bb3adb-1f ;126(1):e46-56. [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Schooling CM, Lam TH, Leung GM. Does breastfeeding protect against childhood overweight? Hong Kong's 'Children of 1997' birth cohort. International Journal of Epidemiology . 2010 Feb;39(1):297-305.[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Schooling CM, Wong MY, Ho LM, Lam TH, Leung GM. Infant growth during the first year of life and subsequent hospitalization to 8 years of age._cc781905-5cde-314 bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Epidemiology. 2010 May;21(3):332-9. [pubmed]
- Hui LL, Leung GM, Cowling BJ, Lam TH, Schooling CM. Determinants of infant growth: Evidence from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort.Annals of Epidemiology._cc74cde-305-95 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_2010 Nov;20(11):827-35. [pubmed]
- Mak YW, Loke AY, Abdullah AS, Lam TH. Household smoking practices of parents with young children, and predictors of poor household smoking practices. Public Health._cc781905 -5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_2008 Nov;122(11):1199-209. [pubmed]
- Kwok MK, Schooling CM, Ho LM, Leung SS, Mak KH, McGhee SM, Lam TH, Leung GM. Early life second hand smoke exposure and serious infectious morbidity during the first eight years: from Hong Kong's "Children of 1997" birth cohort. Tobacco Control. 2008. [pubmed]
- Hui LL, Schooling CM, Leung SSL, Mak KH, Ho LM, Lam TH, Leung GM. Birth Weight, Infant Growth and Childhood Body Mass Index Hong Kong's Children of 1997 Birth Cohort.5-cc7819 5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ Archives of Disease in Childhood.2008; 162(3):212-218._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58[pubmed]
- Hui LL, Schooling CM, Cowling BJ, Leung SSL, Lam TH, Leung GM. Are universal standards for optimal infant growth appropriate? Evidence from a Hong Kong Chinese birth cohort._cc74cde-315-9 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Archives of Disease in Childhood.Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2008 Jul;93(7):561-5._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_[pubmed]
- Leung GM, Ho LM, Tin KY, Schooling CM, Lam TH. Health care consequences of caesarean birth during the first 18 months of life. Epidemiology. ; 18(4):479-84. [pubmed]
- Leung GM, Lam TH, Ho LM, Lau YL. Health consequences of breastfeeding: doctors' visits and hospitalisations during the first 18 months of life in Hong Kong Chinese infants-315-95cde._cc7819 bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ Epidemiology. 2005;16:328-35.[pubmed]
- Leung GM, Ho LM, Lam TH. Second-hand smoke exposure, smoking hygiene, and hospitalization in the first 18 months of life. _cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2004; 158:687-93. [pubmed]
- Leung GM, Ho LM, Lam TH. The economic burden of environmental tobacco smoke in the first year of life. Archives of Disease in Childhood.2003; 88:767-71. [pubmed]
- Leung GM, Lam TH, Ho LM. Breast-feeding and its relation to smoking and mode of delivery. Obstetrics and Gynaecology . 2002; 99:785-94.[pubmed]
- Leung GM, Ho LM, Lam TH. Breastfeeding rates in Hong Kong: a comparison of the 1987 and 1997 birth cohorts._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5c8-cf1bb-3bb95__cc7 136bad5cf58d_Birth. 2002; 29:162-8.[pubmed]
- Lam TH, Leung GM, Ho LM. The effects of environmental tobacco smoke on health services utilization in the first 18 months of life. _cc781905-5cde-3194- bb3b-136bad5cf58d_ Pediatrics.2001 Jun;107(6):E91. [pubmed]
research report in preparation
The following topics are being explored by our "Children of 1997" birth cohort research group
- Cheng TS, Leung GM, Lai LH, Leung JYY, Kwok MK, Au Yeung SL, Schooling CM. Growth from birth to puberty and glycaemic indicators at ~17 Years: evidence from Hong Kong's “Children of 1997” birth cohort
- Cheng TS, Leung GM, Lai LH, Leung JYY, Kwok MK, Au Yeung SL, Schooling CM. Growth from birth to puberty and blood pressure and lipid profile at ~17 years: evidence from Hong Kong's “Children of 1997” birth cohort
research Fund
The "Children of 1997" birth cohort research group has received research funding from different organizations over the years. The following are the grant projects received over the years:
fund
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Medical and Health Research Fund 2012 (grant number: 10111491)
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Medical and Health Research Fund 2012 (grant number: 10111311)
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Medical and Health Research Fund 2012 (Grant No.: 10111201)
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China Excellent Matching Fellowship 2011 (Grant No.: 769811) _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b-1358d_5cf
- HKSAR Health and Healthcare Services Research Fund 2011 (Grant No.: 09101061) _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b_cf58d_ _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b_cf58d_ _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b_cf58d_
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Health and Medical Services Research Fund 2010 (grant number: 0809076)
- 香港特別行政區衞生及醫護服務研究基金2008 (撥款編號: 05060671) _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_
- The University of Hong Kong, University Research Council Strategic Theme of Public Health. 2007
- Research Fund for Control of Infectious Diseases, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China 2007-2008 (Grant No.: 006060592)
- Research Fund for Control of Infectious Diseases, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China 2006-2007 (Grant No.: 04050172) _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3adb-1
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Health and Medical Services Research Fund 2005-2007 (grant number: 03040771)
- Collaborative study of the 1987 birth cohort funded by the World Health Organization
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Health Care and Promotion Fund (Grant No.: 216106) 1996
Activity
2012年12月 - 聖誕電影欣賞和聖誕電車派對
2012年11月 - 香港兒童交響樂團冬季音樂會
2010年2月 - Visit the University of Hong Kong
April/May 2007 - Happy Birthday to the members of the Sons and Daughters of Jiuqi!
2008年1月 - RTHK "Top Ten Chinese Golden Melody Awards Concert"
2007年12月 -_cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b- 136bad5cf58d_Merry Christmas everyone!
April/May 2007 - logo design competition
media reports
June 14, 2015 –"Children of 1997" contribute to public health (Apple Daily)
September 22, 2014 – Radio Television Hong Kong ClangMention the "Children of 1997" health follow-up survey
18 July 2014 - "Children of 1997" Tracking Study Press Conference - Breastfeeding is beneficial to improve public health in Hong Kong
November 6, 2007 – "Children of 1997" TV special
May 29, 2007 – "Children of 1997" press conference
common problem
In this part, we will answer the questions and opinions of some members of "Children of 1997" and other people who are interested in this research. We hope this question and answer section can help you better understand the research of "Children of 1997".
If you have any questions or suggestions, please send to contact us.
1. What is a birth cohort?
Birth cohort studies, which follow the same group of subjects from birth, are a unique epidemiological study designed to help understand how biological factors, social and economic status, or behavioral factors affect health at various stages of life.
At present, many birth cohorts originate from European ancestry, but in recent years, non-Mendelian (non-Mendelian) gene epigenetic changes induced by environmental changes experienced by previous generations have been rediscovered, which is called "epigenetics". Let us note that in order to explore the root causes of the development of health and disease, we must observe the experiences of people with different historical backgrounds of economic development at various stages of life.
2. Is the information I provide to the Institute confidential?
Our research team at the University of Hong Kong attaches great importance to the right to privacy and strictly enforces data confidentiality. All information is encrypted and archived with a password, which is only accessible to internal staff.
3. Will there be negligence during the research process?
Any research projects related to this birth cohort must be approved by relevant departments, including the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Island West Hospital Cluster Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital Authority, and the Hong Kong Government Department of Health Ethics Committee before launching. Data analysis will not involve personal identity to protect privacy.
4. If I want to inquire about my child's health, can I contact the research team?
While our research team may not be able to personally answer all of your individual medical questions, you are welcome to contact us to share your concerns about your child's health. We will try our best to provide assistance according to individual needs.
5. Are there any other birth cohort studies similar to "Children of 1997"?
In addition to the "Children of 1997" birth cohort study, several birth cohorts around the world are still in progress. If you are interested in knowing the research results of other birth cohorts, you can click the link below to browse:
National Birth Cohort Studies (1946, 1958, 1970 and Millenium cohorts)
Northern Finland Birth Cohorts (NFBC)
Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey
-- If you have other inquiries, please contact our research team at (852) 3917 6781. --