Bradford based mental health project could be "the most important health study in a generation"
30,000 teenagers are taking part
Last updated 18th Jan 2022
A seven-year project is going to look into the lives of 30,000 teenagers in Bradford.
Age of Wonder has been called one of the "most important" pieces of research in a generation.
It'll look at the impacts of mental and physical health on young people- as well as inequality.
The project has also been awarded a £7 million grant from the Wellcome Trust – a global charity.
How the study will work:
The study will see the Age of Wonder research team work alongside young people aged 13 – 19 to explore topics such as physical and mental wellbeing and health and social inequalities.
It will collect measurements and biological samples from students in Year 9 to give an insight into the physical health of young people in the district, and shape service improvements to tackle health issues such as diabetes and obesity.
It will also collaborate with almost 40 secondary schools to embed the research into the curriculum, and to inspire more young people into science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, digital technologies and the arts.
'Our findings will help to shape new ways of improving their physical and mental health'
Director of BIHR, Professor John Wright, said:
“Young people across Bradford will have this unique opportunity to be part of the most important study of their generation.
“They will help us create a detailed picture of every aspect of what it’s like to grow up in Bradford, the youngest city in the UK with almost a third of people aged under 20.
“As they move into adolescence and then adulthood, young people will experience many changes to their bodies their emotions and their social lives. They also enter this period at a time of unparalleled disruption amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we follow these young people from age 13 to 21, our research will give us a window into their world like never before – and our findings will help to shape new ways of improving their physical and mental health.”