What is the ECHO Program?
The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program is a long-term study that follows people from pregnancy until their children reach 21 years of age. ECHO is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to enhance the health of children for generations to come.
Purpose of the Project
Over the last 50 years there has been an increase in childhood health problems, such as obesity, prematurity, asthma, and autism. This study looks at how our genes act together with our surroundings to influence health, growth, and development. By participating, families can help to identify important causes of common health conditions affecting children and adults today, as well as causes of some serious rare diseases. This knowledge will be used to improve the lives of children now and in the future.
Who Can Participate?
During Pregnancy
We are currently enrolling pregnant individuals who are less than 20 weeks gestation and speak English or Spanish to join the ECHO Program. If you are interested in participating, take our eligibility survey by following the link HERE or by scanning the QR code:
Before Pregnancy
If you are currently trying to conceive or plan to try soon, you may be eligible for our Preconception to Perinatal Outcomes study. Participants in this preconception study are invited to join ECHO after they get pregnant. CLICK HERE for more information.
What is Involved?
Participation involves visits twice during pregnancy, twice during the first year of a child’s life, and yearly from ages 1-20. Visits may include surveys, body measurements, samples (e.g. hair, urine, blood), and wearable devices to track physical activity and sleep. Some of these activities can be completed from home, while others are completed at one of our clinics.
Are There Benefits?
The study will help us learn things about health and disease that could help children and families in the future - including your children and grandchildren in years to come. We also give some information at visits, such as your child’s height, weight, and blood pressure.
Compensation
You can receive up to $300 for participation during pregnancy. You may receive between $5-50 for each completed study activity after your child’s birth until age 21. Normally, there are several activities available each year.
There will be no cost to you or your child for being part of the study. The study will pay for all tests and procedures done as part of the study but is not responsible for any healthcare you would normally receive.
Confidentiality
We protect you and your child’s privacy and keep information about you safe in every possible way.
History
The ECHO Program at the University of Utah continues the legacy of the Utah Children’s Project (UCP). The UCP incorporated many Utah participants from earlier studies: the National Children’s Study (Salt Lake and Cache Counties), the NuMoM2b study Utah sites, the Home Observation of Periconception Exposures (HOPE) study, the study of Time to Pregnancy in Normal Fertility, and the study of Baby Affect and Behavior (BABY).
Collaboration
We are collaborating with Utah State University.
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