This area of the site is dedicated to researchers and health professionals involved or interested in the Born in Bradford research project. Here you will find the research aims and methods of the project, useful documents and, as the study progresses over the coming years, results and discussion of findings.

Research aims
Born in Bradford is undertaking public health interventions to improve diet, good parenting and levels of physical activity.  The study will provide a wealth of data, allowing health researchers the opportunity to investigate many different aspects of health and wellbeing. One of the first research goals will investigate the factors that influence birth weight and childhood growth. Birth weight is a crucial predictor of infant mortality, child health problems and later adult illness, yet causes of low birth weight are poorly understood.

The high prevalence of low birth weight amongst babies of South Asian origin has major implications for the future health of the city.  Other potential research areas include:

• Describing the determinants of infant and child growth and development.

• Describing the epidemiology of maternal and childhood morbidity and mortality.

• Evaluating health systems and understanding how they can be improved.

• Developing specific research tools and public health data collection systems.

• Undertaking public health intervention trials - e.g. dietary supplements.

• Describing the epidemiology of chronic diseases (CHD, diabetes) in the parents of the birth cohort.

Wider benefits
Born in Bradford will allow the local health community to explore how the collection and use of routine health information can be improved. It will provide a focus for investigating how collaboration between different sectors - health, education and children’s services - can be strengthened. It will offer the potential for research training and research opportunities for people from a wide range of disciplines.

The study will raise the profile of Bradford and establish an international calibre research programme in the city which will attract scientists, clinicians and those interested in policy implementation. It will provide a research legacy for many years to come.