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National Children's Study Massive effort, with OC ties, awaits funding. By Sandy Bennett Published: February, 2007

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National Children's Study Massive effort, with OC ties, awaits funding  A 21-year health study involving 100,000 children - including 1,250 in Orange County - that was approved in 2000 is still in need of federal funding - a scenario that at least one local participant is optimistic will occur within the month.  Michael Ruane, executive director of the county's Children and Families Commission, notes: "We'll have a pretty good handle by March on whether the federal government will fully fund the study to all 100 sites throughout the country."  UC Irvine was chosen in late September 2005 to be one of seven centers to conduct the National Children's Study, which UCI's website describes as "the largest and most comprehensive long-term study of environmental effects on child development and health." The campus partnered with CHOC, the commission, and the county of Orange Health Care Agency. The commission, for its part, has already made study inroads with outreach to pregnant moms, particularly in prenatal care, Ruane says.  The $2.7 billion nationwide study - spreading to 105 counties over 21 years - was left off the president's budget, though Ruane is hopeful the new Congress will address the fiscal matter during the first quarter of this year.  When funded, scientists will examine family genetic factors, as well as environmental factors associated with neighborhoods and schools, chemical exposures, water and air quality, diet, and social and behavioral environments. The goal is to better understand how to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases in all children. OC Family Magazine Managing Editor Sandy Bennett is a member of a community advisory board.

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