Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we will answer questions and comments that we have received from the cohort participants as well as others who are interested in our study. We hope you find these questions and answers helpful and informative.
What is a birth cohort?
A birth cohort study follows a group of people from birth onwards. Birth cohort
studies provide a unique epidemiological tool for understanding how biological,
socio-economic or behavioural factors throughout life may influence health.
Most existing birth cohorts are based on populations of European descent. However,
research needs to be both local and global to fully understand the causes of disease
and develop setting specific interventions.
Is the information that
I contribute to the research kept confidential?
Is there any oversight
of the research process?
The research team here at The University of Hong Kong take privacy and confidentiality very seriously. Information is kept in password protected computer files only accessible to university staff in the research team. This information is not available to any other persons outside of the research team.
Before the launch of any projects based on the birth cohort, ethical approval is sought from the appropriate bodies, including The University of Hong Kong-Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster Joint Institutional Review Board and the Ethics Committee of the Department of Health, Government of the Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China. Analysis is always performed anonymously to ensure privacy.
Are there any other birth cohort studies similar to the "Children of 1997" study?
There are currently several other birth cohorts around the world like the "Children of 1997" Birth Cohort Study. If you are interested in what discoveries other birth cohort studies have made, below are links to other on-going birth cohorts.
United Kingdom: National Birth Cohort Studies (1946, 1958, 1970 and Millennium cohorts)
United Kingdom: Children of the 1950s
Finland: Northern Finland Birth Cohorts (NFBC)
New Zealand: The Dunedin Study
The Philippines: Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey
If you have any other questions, please contact us.