“Queens kids will be playing a leading role in this landmark effort to understand and cure childhood illnesses,” said Rep. Maloney.  “Rates of many childhood diseases such as obesity, asthma, and developmental disabilities are on the rise across New York City, and many of these illnesses are the result of environmental exposures that deserve more attention.  With information from this study, we can improve the lives of children in Queens and across the country.  I encourage Queens families to participate in the study and help solve some of our nation’s most persistent child health problems.”

Authorized in the Children’s Health Act of 2000, the National Children’s Study is the first nationwide assessment of the social, environmental, and developmental causes of a wide range of children’s health problems.  Once it reaches full enrollment, the study will follow a total of 100,000 American children from before birth until age 21.

In order to enroll a representative sample of America’s children, the study will eventually be conducted in 105 locations across the country.  Queens is the first of two locations in the United States to enroll children in the study – the remaining locations will be activated in subsequent months and years.

The federal government has allocated $20 million to conduct the Queens portion of the National Children’s Study.  In all, Congress has appropriated nearly $180 million for the project.“I can think of no better investment of federal funds than in promoting the health of American children,” Maloney said.

For more on the National Children’s Study, click here .

To learn more about the Congressional Children’s Study Working Group, click here .

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